Natalie Sciver to miss India series; takes a break from cricket

Amy Jones will captain throughout the T20I series in Sciver’s absence, and a replacement player will be named in the squad ahead of the second T20I at Derby.

Sciver said: “I’ve played a lot of cricket over the last nine months and I am very emotionally fatigued. Elite sport demands a lot and for the moment I’m not able to perform without compromising my own wellbeing, so I need to take some time away from cricket in order to focus on myself. It’s the right decision for me and it’s the right decision for the team.“

Director of England Women’s Cricket Jonathan Finch said: “We fully support Nat and her decision to step away from this series. Cricket is important, but it is wholly insignificant in the context of an individual’s health and happiness.

“The welfare of our players and staff is always our number one priority and we will support Nat throughout this period.”

England are also missing the services of regular captain Heather Knight, who is out with injury, and veteran pacer Katherine Brunt, who has been rested for the series.

Sciver was a part of the England team at the Commonwealth Games, where she led them to a fourth-place finish and she also played a starring role for Trent Rockets in The Hundred. Sciver was the Player of the Tournament at The Hundred and was crucial to the Rockets finishing third. She relinquished the captaincy towards the end of the season.