Nat Sciver-Brunt's return sparks thrilling England World Cup squad race in 2026

England's World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on June 12 gets more exciting as Nat Sciver-Brunt is set to return for the warm-up games.

England's World Cup warm-ups England will begin their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka in Birmingham on June 12. Sciver-Brunt has not played internationally since the ODI World Cup last October due to a calf tear suffered in a domestic match on April 29. She is expected to feature in warm-up games against Australia on June 8 and India on June 10 in Cardiff, though likely only as a batter. The team hopes she will be fit for the opening World Cup match against Sri Lanka. ## Sciver-Brunt's fitness update England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been training this week and over the weekend, focusing on running drills, with plans for her to play in the first warm-up game next week. While confidence is high about her fitness, she may not bowl at the World Cup, so her role will mainly be as a batter. Freya Kemp did not bowl in the recent T20I series, which is seen as a positive sign ahead of the warm-up fixtures. ## Perfect series win before the World Cup England’s victory over India, securing a 2-1 T20I series win, was described as the ideal preparation for the World Cup. During the series, England equalled their second-highest T20I chase of 181 runs, which was also their best on home soil. Without Sciver-Brunt, England won series against New Zealand and India, both 2-1, with multiple batters stepping into unfamiliar roles and delivering strong performances. ## Standout performances from Capsey and Knight Alice Capsey delivered a match-winning 82 off 43 balls at number four after an unbeaten 74 opening the innings against New Zealand, surpassing her previous best T20I score. Heather Knight scored 70 not out off 42 balls, ending a fifty-less streak since May last year, following a hamstring injury that kept her out for months. Knight’s return marked her as England’s most-capped player in history during the series against India. ## Squad flexibility and depth England’s top six showed remarkable adaptability, with Amy Jones scoring 67 at number three in the series opener against India. Danni Wyatt-Hodge struggled early after maternity leave, scoring 29 and 5 in two innings, while Sophia Dunkley continued to search for form throughout the summer. Amy Jones and Sophia Dunkley are part of a batting lineup that provides England with tactical options for the World Cup. ## Player workloads and competition Freya Kemp’s unbeaten 39 and bowling figures of 2 for 15 in a series-levelling match in Bristol highlighted the depth in England’s squad. Charlotte Edwards emphasized the importance of versatility in the top order, noting that players should be comfortable batting anywhere. The competition for places is intense, with Edwards calling it a positive challenge and confirming players will return home before resuming training in Cardiff on Saturday. ## Capsey and Knight's growth Capsey’s performance under pressure, coming in at 38 for 3 and guiding England to victory, showcased her development since making her debut at 16 in 2022. Edwards praised Capsey’s hard work over the winter, stating she had focused on specific areas and reaped the rewards. Knight’s resilience was on full display as she silenced critics with her match-winning innings. ## Pressure and team expectations Edwards noted that the competition for places adds pressure but is beneficial for the team, resulting in standout performances. She highlighted Heather Knight and Alice Capsey’s match-winning contributions as examples of players rising to the challenge. Sophia Dunkley faces the most scrutiny as she aims to secure her spot in the World Cup squad.