Sciver-Brunt out of England clash

CRICKET Nat SciverBrunt will miss England’s first game of the summer after undergoing a “minor medical procedure.”

The reigning ICC Women’s cricketer of the year will be absent from today’s first T20 against Pakistan at Edgbaston, but has already been cleared to return for the rest of the series.

Her middle-order spot goes to the returning Freya Kemp, who comes in after a complicated recovery from a stress fracture of the back and is available as a specialist batter as she completes her rehabilitation.

England captain Heather Knight said: “Freya will bat at five, which is a cool opportunity for her. She is a massive, clean ballstriker and a left-hander, which we don’t have a lot of in England. When she’s back bowling, she’ll become a real asset.

“We played three T20s in New Zealand without her (SciverBrunt) recently and that gave us an opportunity to find out about a few people and about our depth.”

Birmingham’s bond with Knight’s side has been growing in recent years, from an extended stay during the 2022 Commonwealth Games to a record-breaking crowd of almost 20,000 for last summer’s Ashes match, but their welcome is likely to be a more mixed affair this time as the midlands’ Pakistani fans turn out in numbers.

“I’m intrigued to see what the crowd is like. It could be quite partisan with a lot of the Pakistani heritage in the city,” said Knight.

“There might be some hostility towards us, I guess, with the Pakistan fans but it will be a great day. It will create a fun atmosphere and we’ve talked a little bit to prepare ourselves for what it might be like.

“Last summer’s Ashes was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played under. It feels like the new normal now big crowds coming in, playing in big stadiums at prime times for people to come and watch.”