Cricket
Nat Sciver-Brunt’s New Era of Triumph
Nat Sciver-Brunt view Brunt’s success has changed a bit over the years.
Last year, she took time off from the game to take care of her mental health and well-being. If she’s learned anything, it’s a willingness to put herself first.
In fact, she learned a lot during that time, such as how to come up with a plan to never get to the “boiling point” again. But as she prepares to lead England into the T20 World Cup as Heather Knight’s replacement and the country’s most important player in the last difficult year, she knows she must take care of herself.
Sciver-Brunt made a great comeback after being out for three months. On the combined ODI and T20I tour of the West Indies, she scored the most runs for England and was named player of the series in the 50-over format. After that tour, Sciver-Brunt spoke to Knight and decided she was ready to resume her vice-captain duties, which she had put on hold earlier in her career. Having scored 50 in England’s win over South Africa in an official pre-World Cup warm-up match (she didn’t play as either a batswoman or bowler in Wednesday’s five-wicket win over New Zealand), all is going well so far.
Sciver-Brunt told ESPNcricinfo after the second warm-up match at Western Province Cricket Club in Cape Town: “Taking myself out is something I’ve never had to do in my career.” “I’ve always tried to give everything for the team and help us win, so I’m taking the time now to think about whether I can handle it or not. I really wanted to know if it would affect my performance, and I was glad to be in a situation where it didn’t.
“I didn’t know what was going to happen. Before the tour, I wasn’t going to set myself a target of scoring or taking wickets in every game. It was more about how I felt on the field and what I could do to help, not about how good I was or how many wickets I scored or anything like that. It was more about being a part of the team and having fun. So success had a different face.
“Now success looks different. You want to win and be good for your team and other things, but for me it was more important that I was doing well.”
Sciver-Brunt says her desire to always help the team made it difficult for her to take time for herself. But after the Covid 19 pandemic and subsequent travels (an away campaign with the Ashes, an ODI World Cup (where she was instrumental in England’s second-place finish) and the Commonwealth Games at home), she felt she had no choice but to quit. But when she spoke to the England Women’s team doctor, she felt better.
“It was a strange place to be,” she reflected back. “I had never felt like that in my life. Most of the time I don’t want to miss anything because I don’t want to disappoint anyone. I don’t want to be inaccessible to anyone. Realizing that letting myself go or pulling myself out was the hardest thing to do because I’ve never been at that point or felt that way before.
“When I went home, I knew it was the right thing to do. I might have come home thinking, “I’m fine, I should go back,” but when I took a step back and went home, I knew it was the right thing to do. It was weird to let myself go, because that hadn’t happened a lot on our team, and I don’t like to miss out. I want to do everything we need to do to win, so I don’t usually think, “This isn’t right, I need to take a step back.”
Her wife and teammate Katherine Sciver-Brunt also knew something was wrong.
“Because I’ve a pretty even-keeled personality, even Katherine can tell when something is wrong with me,” Sciver-Brunt says. “So she kind of knew I wasn’t doing well. It was good to have this person there who knew me almost better than I knew myself. It was like having someone in your corner.
The couple has just started using their married name on the pitch and will wear shirts showing it for the first time in South Africa.
“Everyone already knows we’re married, so it’s not like we’re saying, ‘Oh, hello, it’s obvious now,'” Sciver-Brunt says. “But it’s a nice way for both of us to be represented on the field” “And yeah, a little Brunt in my bowling is definitely a good thing!”
Katherine, who turns 38 in July, was spared during India’s tour of England last summer and was also not in the ODI team in the Caribbean, but she returned for the T20I portion of the tour and is now ready for what could be her final World Cup.
Katherine was part of the England team that won the T20 title in 2009 and finished runner-up to Australia in 2012. Sciver-Brunt, on the other hand, has played in two finals that Australia won and England lost, in 2014 and 2018. Sciver-Brunt also managed a valiant 148 runs without an out when England lost the ODI World Cup final to Australia last year. One thing that has been on England’s mind ahead of this tournament is that their semi-final in the last T20 World Cup in Australia was cancelled due to rain. Instead, India moved on as group winners and lost the final to the hosts.
The couple has just started using their married name on the pitch and will wear shirts showing it for the first time in South Africa.
“Everyone already knows we’re married, so it’s not like we’re saying, ‘Oh, hello, it’s obvious now,'” Sciver-Brunt says. “But it’s a nice way for both of us to be represented on the field” “And yeah, a little Brunt in my bowling is definitely a good thing!”
Katherine, who turns 38 in July, was spared during India’s tour of England last summer and was also not in the ODI team in the Caribbean, but she returned for the T20I portion of the tour and is now ready for what could be her final World Cup.
Katherine was part of the England team that won the T20 title in 2009 and finished runner-up to Australia in 2012. Sciver-Brunt, on the other hand, has played in two finals that Australia won and England lost, in 2014 and 2018. Sciver-Brunt also managed a valiant 148 runs without an out when England lost the ODI World Cup final to Australia last year. One thing that has been on England’s mind ahead of this tournament is that their semi-final in the last T20 World Cup in Australia was cancelled due to rain. Instead, India moved on as group winners and lost the final to the hosts.
So when Sciver-Brunt says, through clenched teeth and raised eyebrows, “I don’t want to come in second anymore,” it doesn’t sound like a sentence an athlete says the day before a tournament. It looks and sounds like a promise. “I’d really like to get to the finals,” she says again.
“Especially at T20, we always seem to do well until the end when it rains or we don’t play as well as we usually do,” she says. “A lot of us who have played in these tournaments say, ‘Right, I don’t want to do this anymore.’ But we have to try!’
“As a team, we’re in a really good position, and I think that the way we want to play, as long as we can do it on the field and against the best teams, puts us in a really good position to get to the knockout rounds. In tournaments, we’re told not to think too far ahead and focus on the next game as much as possible, and I think we’ll. I think once the tournament starts, it’ll go by so fast that all you can think about is the next game. But I’d really like to be in the final now
On Thursday, November 2, Virat Kohli achieved an accomplishment. He became the batsman to surpass 1000 runs in ODIs in 2023, following in the footsteps of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Not that,. He also joined Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Pathum Nissanka as the fourth players to achieve this impressive record in the 50-over format within the same year.
Stepping into History with 1000 Runs in ODIs
Entering the realm of history, Kohli’s unwavering determination and exceptional skills were put on display during his match in 2023. Notably, the cricket maestro, now 34 years old, made an indelible impact by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar‘s record, securing the most number of years with 1000 runs in ODIs. Kohli’s consistent ability to perform at such an exceptional level has been a defining characteristic of his illustrious career, as he had previously achieved this monumental milestone in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019, before accomplishing it once again in the present year of 2023.
Sachin Tendulkar with god of cricket Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/zmztejNBBB
— Kevin (@imkevin149) November 2, 2023
An Unforgettable Journey
In an intense World Cup 2023 clash against Sri Lanka at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Virat Kohli’s pursuit of this historic milestone was realized with an impressive 34 runs. Despite facing challenges, including a rare duck against England at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, his overall performance throughout the year has been nothing short of spectacular.
Kohli’s memorable journey was highlighted by an unbeaten century during India’s triumphant seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. Adding to his illustrious record, he solidified his stature with a brilliant 95 runs, making a significant contribution to India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand led by Tom Latham at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Pune.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, on Tuesday, October 31, achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the third fastest bowler to secure 100 wickets in ODIs. His outstanding performance during Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh at the renowned Eden Gardens in Kolkata led to this historic accomplishment.
A Landmark Moment
In the thrilling encounter, Shaheen clinched his 100th wicket in only his 51st match, dismissing Tigers’ opening batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim. The left-arm fast bowler displayed exceptional skill as he struck Tamim on the pads, prompting the on-field umpire to raise his finger. Despite Tamim’s referral to the third umpire using the Decision Review System (DRS), the replays confirmed the ball crashing into the stumps, upholding the on-field decision. Bangladesh lost their first wicket with the scoreboard reading 0 in just 0.5 overs.
Shaheen Afridi soars high yet again with another feat to his name 🦅#CWC23 | #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/IlQQ6P5xYK
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 31, 2023
Surpassing Preceding Records
Shaheen Shah Afridi not only secured this feat in record time but also outshone the accomplishments of esteemed bowlers preceding him. He surpassed the record of the fastest pacer, previously held by Mitchell Starc, who attained the milestone in August 2016 during an ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Legacy of Excellence
Moreover, Shaheen shattered the long-standing record held by Saqlain Mushtaq, becoming the fastest Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in ODIs. Saqlain had set this record on May 12, 1997, during an ODI against Sri Lanka in Gwalior. It is notable that among the Pakistani fast bowlers, the accomplished Shaheen Shah Afridi follows in the footsteps of the legendary Waqar Younis, who achieved the 100-wicket mark back in February 1993 against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.
Beyond ODIs
Demonstrating his prowess beyond ODIs, Shaheen has made significant contributions in Tests and T20Is as well. Since his debut in 2018, he has garnered 105 wickets in Tests and 64 wickets in T20Is. His exceptional journey began with a strong performance in the U19 World Cup in New Zealand. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars’ consecutive victories in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
A Testament to Talent and Dedication
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s rapid rise to 100 ODI wickets within 51 matches underlines his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport. As he continues to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing world, his journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide. With his remarkable achievements, Afridi has solidified his place in the annals of cricket history, etching his name as one of Pakistan’s most formidable and promising fast bowlers.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recently expressed admiration for India’s dominant performance in the ongoing 2023 ICC World Cup. With India securing victories in all six matches, Akhtar highlighted the team’s exceptional display across various aspects of the game. Although the recent batting performance against England in Lucknow was relatively modest, India’s fierce bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, proved instrumental in securing a remarkable win. This triumph not only solidified India’s leading position on the points table but also exacerbated England’s struggles in the tournament, leaving them virtually eliminated.
India’s Remarkable Bowling Transformation
In his analysis, Akhtar emphasized the transformative impact of Shami’s inclusion in India’s playing eleven following Hardik Pandya’s injury. Acknowledging Shami’s outstanding performances against New Zealand and England, Akhtar credited India’s ability to win matches through their bowling prowess, showcasing a shift from their traditional reliance on batting strength. He commended the collective effort of the Indian bowling unit, particularly recognizing the strategic brilliance of fast bowler Bumrah.
India’s Path to World Cup Glory
Looking ahead, Akhtar voiced his confidence in India’s potential to secure their third ODI World Cup trophy, highlighting the team’s upcoming matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands. Expressing optimism, he emphasized the significance of maintaining their unbeaten streak en route to the final, setting the stage for a potential historic ICC World Cup victory. However, Akhtar cautioned against compromising the successful bowling unit once Pandya returns to full fitness, warning against the potential detriment of a partially fit Pandya’s inclusion at the expense of a bowler.
Akhtar’s Praise for India and its Response to Criticism
Addressing skepticism surrounding his praise for the Indian team, Akhtar reiterated the exceptional nature of India’s performance, particularly in their ability to defend a modest total with a significant margin of victory. Undeterred by criticism, Akhtar reaffirmed his admiration for India’s exceptional cricketing prowess, urging acknowledgment and appreciation of their commendable achievements.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Perspective on Virat Kohli
Shifting focus, Akhtar’s history of praise extends beyond team performances to individual players, notably including former Indian team captain Virat Kohli. Reminiscing on Kohli’s resilience during a challenging phase in his career, Akhtar highlighted the pivotal role played by Kohli’s consistent century-scoring performances, leading to India’s victories. Recognizing Kohli’s contribution to the team’s success, Akhtar emphasized the significance of Kohli’s monumental centuries during crucial chases, solidifying his status as a crucial asset for the Indian cricket team.
In a comparison between Kohli and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Akhtar acknowledged Tendulkar’s status as one of the greatest batsmen while highlighting the challenges Tendulkar faced as a captain. Drawing parallels, Akhtar expressed confidence in Kohli’s eventual resurgence, expecting him to return to his prolific scoring form once he finds his equilibrium.
In summary, Akhtar’s acknowledgment of India’s exceptional performance and his recognition of individual players’ contributions underscore the team’s formidable presence in the 2023 ICC World Cup, setting the stage for a potential historic triumph in the coming days.
1000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli’s Cricket Legacy
Shaheen Shah Afridi: Fastest to 100 ODI Wickets
ICC World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar says, ‘Mai India ki tareef kyu na karu’
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