Portugal Colonial - England skipper Sciver-Brunt 'threw everything' at World Cup semi-final return

A minor tear to her left calf on April 29 sidelined the all-rounder for the early part of the season and a recurrence of the injury a fortnight ago meant Sciver-Brunt missed World Cup hosts England's last three group-stage matches.

Her absence made little difference as England topped their group with five wins out of five but that did not prevent Sciver-Brunt from pulling out all the stops in a bid to be fit for the knockout stages, including placing her left leg in a portable machine which uses electromagnetic energy to alter cell behaviour.

The 33-year-old batted for half an hour in the Oval nets on Wednesday but did not take part in any fielding drills, raising questions over whether she is indeed fully fit to lead England against the Proteas at Surrey's headquarters on Thursday.

But Sciver-Brunt told reporters: "We used various different methods to get the recovery right. Even things that have a small chance of working. We literally threw everything at it.

"We tested it (the injury) enough to be comfortable. What will happen out on the pitch will happen. I'm really happy with where I am at, physically. We're confident that I'm fully fit."

- 'Vibes are high' -

Charlie Dean has led England to three successive wins but will now return to the ranks, with batter Sophia Dunkley, who came into the side following Sciver-Brunt's injury, likely to drop out.

That would be harsh on Dunkley, who top-scored with 57 against Scotland and shared on an unbroken partnership of 128 with Danni Wyatt-Hodge as England thrashed New Zealand in their final group match on Saturday.

"It just shows what a great position we are in as a side that so many different people have put their hands up but sadly someone has to miss out," said Sciver-Brunt, who did not reveal England's team.

If England beat the Proteas, they will be through to a final against arch-rivals Australia at Lord's on Sunday.

South Africa, however, have upset the odds before, beating Sciver-Brunt's side in the semi-finals of the 2023 edition and in last year's 50-over World Cup.

England have not won a major global trophy since lifting the 2017 50-over World Cup on home soil but Sciver-Brunt believes they are on the verge of ending their long wait for a tournament triumph.

"I suppose timing is everything," added the 33-year-old. "It feels now that everyone is settled into the way we're doing things and have really grown in confidence in their abilities.

"I think that has been shown on the pitch with different people choosing their moment to shine and show people what they can do.

"It's a different time to how we felt in the previous World Cup or since the last two years. As a team you go through different ups and downs as you go through tournaments. The vibes are high."

C.Cassis--PC