England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is doing everything she can to return from her calf injury before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals. Along with the usual recovery methods, she is also using a rare treatment that has previously been used by former NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.
Sciver-Brunt’s calf injury has become one of the biggest talking points of England’s World Cup campaign. The all-rounder retired hurt during England’s second match of the tournament and has missed the team’s last two games.
England remain hopeful that their captain will be fit if they reach the semi-finals. The latest update is that the 33-year-old is continuing her rehabilitation, and the team believes she still has a chance of playing later in the tournament.
So far, Sciver-Brunt has been using several well-known recovery methods, including ice treatment, compression, physiotherapy and oxygen therapy. However, she is also trying Magnetic Resonance Therapy (MRT), a treatment that has never before been used by the England Women’s cricket team.
Magnetic Resonance Therapy uses electromagnetic energy to help damaged cells heal naturally. The treatment is sometimes known as MBST and is more commonly used to treat arthritis rather than sports injuries.
During the treatment, the injured muscle is placed inside a machine that looks like a small MRI scanner. The machine sends electromagnetic energy around the injured area to help the body’s natural healing process.
Although this treatment is not widely used in cricket, former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has previously spoken about using similar therapy during his playing career.
Sciver-Brunt has reportedly been using the machine twice every day, both at home and at England’s team hotel, as she works hard to recover in time. Her wife and former England fast bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt said Nat has been fully focused on getting fit again.
“I’ve not seen much of her to be honest because she’s been off doing everything possible.”
Sciver-Brunt first injured her calf on April 29 while playing domestic cricket. England described it at the time as a “minor” calf tear. Because of the injury, she missed England’s home series against New Zealand and India before returning for the World Cup warm-up matches.
She successfully played in the warm-up games against Australia and India and also featured in England’s opening World Cup match against Sri Lanka. However, during England’s win over Ireland on June 17, she felt tightness in the same calf and has not played since.
England are expected to play their semi-final on either June 30 (Tuesday) or July 2 (Thursday) and will now hope their captain can complete her recovery in time. If Sciver-Brunt returns, it would give England a huge boost as they continue their fight for the Women’s T20 World Cup title on home soil.
Loves all things female cricket