England captain Nat Sciver‑Brunt confirmed she will play in the warm‑up T20 against Australia on Monday, marking her return from a calf tear suffered with The Blaze in April. The announcement came as Waterloo Bridge was converted into a temporary cricket pitch for the tournament launch, drawing hundreds of fans and twelve captains to the iconic site.

Coach Charlotte Edwards said the side’s recent 2‑1 series win over India proved Sciver‑Brunt’s fitness and readiness. In the Cardiff warm‑up, she will be used solely as a batter, trusting a deep bowling unit that includes Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone. The England squad opens the World Cup against Sri Lanka on June 12 at Edgbaston, with all group games streaming free on the Sky Sports app.

Sciver‑Brunt praised the unique kickoff, saying playing cricket on Waterloo Bridge “isn’t something you get to do every day.” She added the team’s recent pressure‑filled series have sharpened their tools ahead of a home tournament that could end a 17‑year T20 World Cup drought. England now rely on their batting depth while maintaining a strong bowling core.