Nat Sciver-Brunt plays down title talk as England look to end their World Cup drought

Here is the full transcript of Nat Sciver-Brunt’s pre-England vs.

(Reporter:)

I think we can assume you are fit and ready to go tomorrow?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Yes, absolutely. Yeah, I’ve had a recovery pace and yeah I guess I’ve worked really hard to get in this position and so have the sports science and medicine team. So yeah, I’m really happy to be sitting here.

(Reporter:)

Can you talk a little bit about the restoration, what that involved, was it touch and go or did it all go smoothly? Just talk to us.

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Yeah, everything went according to plan, as well as it could, really. We use different methods for proper recovery. It was a lot about inflammation, so yeah, doing your best and eating the right things, taking the right supplements, etc. Sitting in machines, oxygen tanks. Yeah, I suppose anything we can do to get to that point.

(Reporter:)

And if you can say—I don’t know if you can—but who’s going out? Because someone has to clear the way.

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

I’ll tell you tomorrow at the party. But clearly, our team was really successful and a lot of different people stood up. So yeah, someone is going to be really disappointed tomorrow. But yeah, I suppose it just shows what a great position we’re in as a party, that yes, so many different people have put their hands up. But yes, unfortunately someone has to miss it.

(Reporter:)

Have you used magnetic resonance therapy as part of your rehabilitation? I read —

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

maybe. There was a shortcut, and if it fits, then yes.

(Reporter:)

What did it entail?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Sit for an hour and not move your leg in a horseshoe shaped thing.

(Reporter:)

Is it a pretty big machine?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

No, portable. Not like an MRI, I’d say.

(Reporter:)

Right. How often would you do it then?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

I completed a 7 hour session.

(Reporter:)

So you obviously did all you could.

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Yeah, even things that have little chance of working. Yeah, apparently there’s quite a bit of research on MBST. I think it is correct. But yeah, we literally threw everything at it.

(Reporter:)

And how much did you test the calf in terms of explosiveness and running? We’ve tested it enough to be comfortable, and yes, I suppose what’s going to happen on the field is going to happen. And yes, I’m really happy with where I am physically.

(Reporter:)

I guess there’s always a risk with these things, right? But do you feel there is – when you consider the balance, is it worth taking that risk given where you are in the tournament and everything else?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Yeah, me and the medical team are really happy with where we are. I’m physically able to participate in all the games, so yeah, I think I’m really happy from that point of view.

(Reporter:)

And how important is it to you and the team to overcome this obstacle? A lot has been made of 2017 and I haven’t won a world tournament since. It feels like a real — a really big moment for the band.

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Yes, it is. I think our first goal at the start of the tournament is to qualify for the semi-finals and that set us up for a huge game against South Africa, who we’ve played in a couple of semi-finals recently. And of course, the ultimate goal is to try to get to the finals and win the whole tournament. But I suppose we are now focused on tomorrow and doing everything we can to prepare as well as possible for the game against South Africa. This whole World Cup has been a huge opportunity for us and our team to try and inspire as many people as possible and I think we’ve done that along the way and tomorrow night we have another chance to try again here at a ground that’s been successful for us in the past and has a lot of energy in the crowd so we’re looking forward to that.

(Reporter:)

And you lost to South Africa 4 times in world tournaments. Does it leave any mental scars?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

I think the group of players that we have here is quite different than in the past. I suppose there are people who have played in all those games, but they are a world-class team and have reached many finals in previous World Cups. They haven’t quite obviously got over the line, but they are a team that is extremely competitive. And one that we’ve had a big fight with over the last few years.

(Reporter:)

And in an ideal world, would you have more tests or tougher tests before this point in the tournament? Do you feel like you were really pushed that far?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Yeah, I think we were really pushed at certain times of the games. Yeah, I suppose a lot has been done about which teams are in which groups and stuff like that. But yes, we are definitely ready for the Test against South Africa. And yes, we have shown great composure in some key moments of the games so far in the tournament. So yes, we hope to use this experience.

(Reporter:)

As for the group stage, you obviously watched the matches you didn’t attend. What’s your analysis of the positives and any areas you need to be a bit clinical and how did you do that game against Ireland in particular when you left? That was a little harder, wasn’t it? But getting through it was, I suppose, a sign that it’s passable when it’s a little shaky. But what did you make of the group stage?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Yeah, I think it was really nice to watch. We had some great batting partnerships. We’ve obviously had times where we’ve had difficult periods and had to rebuild a bit as a batting group. And yes, there are times when we’d like to be a little clinical in our pursuit. But yeah, I suppose circumstances like me leaving with an injury don’t always happen. So yeah, I suppose it might take a while to get used to it again. But yeah, I think we played some great cricket as a group. We showed great composure in such moments. And the first game against Sri Lanka, I suppose when we had such built-up anticipation before the World Cup started – I mean that first game feels like a month ago now. But yeah, I think we learned a lot as a group about the different conditions we played in. We’ll see how we adapt to what we’ve been given again tomorrow night as it will also be the third game in this wicket. So yeah, I think as a group we’ve kind of covered a lot of the bases that we could be – or situations that we could be thrown into tomorrow night. So yeah, I’m assuming everyone has prepared really well for what would be a massive game.

(Reporter:)

Now, going back to the Ireland game, has that timeline ever been questioned since you got to where we are now? I know it was a 2 game break at first, then the NZ game came back soon. When you left then, were you sure you would return to this tournament?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

I think I left without knowing what happened. I suppose I know something is up, but I’m getting the scan results and everything is progressing. We always had this game in mind. So yes, of course, as you said, the New Zealand game came a little too soon because time is our friend. So yeah, I think yeah, this game was the goal, so yeah, I guess things went according to plan.

(Reporter:)

And it was Sunday, Australia and India – was that a pretty big game for you? I mean, if there’s a world in which England played a semi-final yesterday, would that come too soon for you, or would you be willing to go to them?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Yeah, I mean, obviously the circumstances are that we ended up having a second semi-final. I mean, I’ve been watching, obviously the huge interest in the World Cup and the cricket and also the game we’re playing. Obviously what happens is that we kind of wait for the result to know when we play. But yeah, I suppose the plans would be a little different if it was a Tuesday. But yes, the goal was to be ready for the semi-finals, be it Tuesday or Thursday.

(Reporter:)

And obviously you’d rather not have the injury at all in April, but actually you look back over the last 2 months. You’re a better team because they’ve had to do it without you, both in that series against India and in those group stage games with, I suppose, the world where Charlie wouldn’t have missed England’s Championship game before the World Cup if it hadn’t happened.

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Yeah, I suppose if that was the case, we’d have to make a game where Charlie could lead, in the preliminaries, or yeah, something in the other series we had before the tournament started. Yeah, I think it’s funny how it works itself. A lot of people had a great chance to have experience in the middle, certainly with the bat. And yes, I suppose it’s never nice to miss out, but I think seeing people’s confidence grow and getting a chance to show their skills with a bit more time in the crease was really special. And yes, I suppose just the enjoyment everyone gets out of the game is really nice to watch on the sidelines. Is it contagious. So yeah, I’m really excited to be able to join them again.

(Reporter:)

How does it feel to go into the semi-finals as a clear favorite after such a rollercoaster ride over the past few years? Is it a bit strange?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

I guess timing is everything, right? The World Cup after 50, I have just started my journey as a captain and I see a bit of a change in management and coaching. So now I feel like everyone has kind of settled into how we do things and the confidence in their abilities has really grown. And I think that was shown on the pitch with different people picking their moment to shine and show people what they can do. So yeah, I guess it’s – I mean it’s a different time than how we felt at the previous World Cup or from the last 2 years. Yeah, I suppose as a team you go through the tournament with different ups and downs. But yeah, I guess the vibes are high.

(Reporter:)

Nat, how was the experience of playing at home for you and the other girls on the team?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

It was great. I think when you’re at home, you have the chance to have family come to watch most of the games and see those familiar faces in the crowd, but also experience a crowd that’s really behind you and wants the team to do well. So yes, it was great to play on a familiar course and yes, I suppose it was a nice experience. We know where all the good coffee spots are in each of the cities. So yeah, I think we’ve had a great time at this tournament so far.

(Reporter:)

And was there ever any talk of Charlie staying on as captain just to give you one less thing to worry about?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

No, I think I’m really happy in that leadership role and I’m going back to it. I mean, it hasn’t been too long since I last played and being in the team all the time gives me a chance to think about my captaincy role in different ways. So yeah, I hope to rank up there nicely. She said she didn’t want to do that either.

(Reporter:)

Was she serious?

(Nat Sciver-Brunt:)

Who, Charlie? She said she definitely doesn’t want to do any media, more media, so here I am. Yeah, no, she’s obviously done the role really well and she’s happy to pass it back on.