Sciver-Brunt is not just a batter or bowler; she is a genuine match-winner': Hartley
New Delhi, June 19
Former England cricketer Alex Hartley has hailed Nat Sciver-Brunt as a 'complete cricketer' and a genuine match-winner, praising the England stand-in captain's ability to influence games with both bat and ball during the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
"Nat Sciver-Brunt is a complete cricketer. When you look at her batting stats, she runs so many twos before she starts hitting boundaries. Early in her knock, she rotates the strike, finds the gaps, and keeps the scoreboard moving. She doesn't panic," Hartley told Jio Hotstar.
The praise comes during a tournament in which Sciver-Brunt has continued to underline her status as one of England's most influential players. Earlier this month, she became England's all-time leading run-scorer in Women's T20 World Cup history, surpassing Charlotte Edwards' tally of 768 runs. The England skipper now has 784 runs from 30 World Cup appearances.
Hartley said one of Sciver-Brunt's greatest strengths is her ability to judge the tempo of an innings before launching an assault on opposition bowlers.
"Then, after about 25 or 30 balls, she shifts gears and starts exploding. That ability to pace an innings is rare. In ODIs, she takes a little more time. In T20s, she accelerates much quicker," she added.
Sciver-Brunt has enjoyed a strong start to the World Cup, scoring 94 runs without being dismissed. She struck an unbeaten 46 off 22 balls against Sri Lanka before following it up with 48 off 37 deliveries against Ireland, anchoring England's successful chase.
Hartley also praised the 33-year-old's contributions with the ball, describing her as one of the most complete all-rounders in the women's game.
"With the ball, she is equally valuable. She bowls at a good pace, hits the right lengths, and can swing it both ways. She picks up key wickets in the middle overs and bowls economically at the death," Hartley said.
"Nat Sciver-Brunt is not just a batter or a bowler; she is a genuine match-winner with both bat and ball," She added.
Sciver-Brunt's impressive World Cup campaign has, however, been interrupted by injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board recently confirmed that she suffered a recurrence of a calf strain and will miss England's next two group-stage matches against Scotland and the West Indies.
England remain hopeful that their captain will recover in time for the team's final group-stage fixture against New Zealand later this month.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an Indian fan, I have to admit Sciver-Brunt is a class apart. She reminds me of the kind of player we wish we had in our women's team—someone who can win matches with both bat and ball under pressure. The way she ran those twos against Sri Lanka showed she doesn't just rely on power; she thinks about the game. Feel bad about her injury though—hope she returns stronger!
Nat Sciver-Brunt is indeed a match-winner, but I think the comparison with Charlotte Edwards is a bit unfair—Edwards played in a different era with fewer T20 World Cup matches. Still, 784 runs in 30 matches is phenomenal. What I admire most is her bowling—hitting good lengths and swinging it both ways is rare in women's cricket. England will miss her in those group matches.
I agree with Hartley's assessment. Sciver-Brunt's ability to pace an innings is something I've noticed in ODIs too—she takes time early, then accelerates like clockwork. Honestly, we need more such all-rounders in women's cricket globally. India could learn a thing or two from her consistency. Hope she recovers in time for the New Zealand match! 🇮🇳👏
As a cricket fan from the US, I'm still learning about women's T20, but Sciver-Brunt seems like a name to remember. The stats are impressive—94 runs without being dismissed is no joke. I like how she doesn't panic and rotates strike early; that's smart cricket. Hope she's back for the knockout stages!
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