England has stepped into a new era of women’s cricket with the appointment of Nat Sciver-Brunt as the women’s cricket captain, marking a significant leadership transition following the departure of Heather Knight. The 32-year-old all-rounder will lead the side in all three formats, with her first assignments including a white-ball home series against the West Indies and India, followed by the crucial 2025 Women’s World Cup in India.
Sciver-Brunt’s appointment as captain comes at an essential moment for the England setup, following a disastrous loss endured by the team at the 2025 Women’s Ashes series, in which they were whitewashed 16-0 by Australia. The series prompted a sweeping review by the England and Wales Cricket Board, which led to Knight’s dismissal after nearly nine years in charge and the removal of head coach Jon Lewis. Legendary former captain Charlotte Edwards has since stepped in as head coach, reuniting with Sciver-Brunt, with whom she shares a winning history at the Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Speaking after her appointment, Sciver-Brunt said it was an “honour” to be chosen by Edwards, whom she described as a figure she has long admired. “All I have wanted to do is help the team in every way that I can. I will try my best to lead this team to success while empowering them to be the best version of themselves,” she said in a statement released by the ECB.
A seasoned campaigner with 259 international appearances to her name and also having served as vice-captain for several years, Sciver-Brunt has apparently long been considered the natural successor to Knight. She has previously stepped into the role on multiple occasions, including the 2022 Commonwealth Games and a series against New Zealand in 2021. Her leadership record includes nine victories in 12 games as stand-in captain.
Her recent form further bolstered her case. Sciver-Brunt was instrumental in the Mumbai Indians’ second WPL title win, topping the run-scoring charts with 523 runs at an average of 65.37 and claiming 12 wickets. She also became the first player in WPL history to surpass both 500 runs in a single season and 1,000 career runs.
Despite her credentials, concerns remain over her dual role as captain and one of England’s premier all-rounders. Sciver-Brunt is not only the team’s most dependable batter but also a critical member of the bowling unit. Balancing leadership responsibilities with performance will be crucial, especially with a packed international schedule ahead.
In addition to her on-field responsibilities, Sciver-Brunt recently embraced a major change in her personal life as she and her wife, former England seamer Katherine Sciver-Brunt, welcomed their first child, a son named Theodore. How she balances parenthood, elite performance, and captaincy will be closely watched.
England’s summer begins on May 21 with a six-match series against the West Indies women’s cricket team, followed by a multi-format tour by the India women’s cricket team, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs. These contests will serve as vital preparation for the World Cup in September, where Sciver-Brunt will aim to guide her side to its first global title since 2017.
Her appointment also highlights a missed opportunity in England’s succession planning. Although the ECB saw players like Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean as emerging leaders, their lack of captaincy experience left them with few realistic alternatives. Sciver-Brunt’s selection thus feels both inevitable and necessary, offering stability in the short term while younger leaders continue to develop.
The partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Edwards could be transformative. The two have already enjoyed domestic success together and now carry shared ambitions at the international level. Edwards, speaking earlier in April, underlined her desire to hold players accountable for performance and fitness—a cultural reset that aligns with Sciver-Brunt’s own values.
As one of only four women to hold the permanent captaincy since 2000, Sciver-Brunt enters the role with immense responsibility. But with experience, a track record of leadership, and the backing of a legendary coach, England’s women’s team appears set for a new chapter.
