11 February - Paarl - England player Nat Sciver-Brunt post-match press conference
[Reporter]
Nat, first of all, was that sort of the embodiment of the kind of fearless batting approach that you've wanted to implement, I guess, particularly since John Lewis came on board?
[Nat]
Yeah, definitely. We know we weren't, I guess, at our best in, I guess, the whole of the game a little bit. But, yeah, that's the intent and the bravery that we want from every one of our batters. So, yeah, we're very happy with that.
[Reporter]
And I guess, too, there seemed to be an element of that not being afraid for it to go wrong, sort of, you know, having that freedom. And if it comes off great, and if it doesn't, it doesn't. Do you feel that that's really being instilled now? And were you happy with that today?
[Nat]
Yeah, definitely. I guess, as batters, you're always fighting the intent. And, you know, obviously, you want every ball to hit the middle of your bat, but it doesn't always happen. So you're still, I guess, fighting with yourself a little bit out there in the middle. But, yeah, that's the sort of intensity and bravery that we want from everyone.
[Reporter]
Hi, Nat. West Indies were just in here and said they feel they've improved a little bit from the last time they've played you. Did you pick that up, and if so, in what department?
[Nat]
Yeah, I think so. I think the energy that they brought, actually, in the field was noticeably different to the West Indies tour that we had. Yeah, you felt a little bit more under pressure that probably similar to the West Indies when we went, I don't know, 2016. They can really, when a wicket or two falls, in the field. And, yeah, I guess that it was nice to feel that, but then still be able to be brave and take on a shot or whatever it is. So, yeah, it was a good feeling.
[Reporter]
What did you think of the Chinelle Henrys catch? That was impressive, very impressive. Also, the throw up in the air was amazing. That's a better celebration than trying to throw it up, but it'll stay in your hand, which I've done a couple of times.
[Reporter]
Hey, Nat, how are you feeling about chasing that sort of target and what were you guys thinking might've been par on this ground?
[Nat]
It was hard to tell. The wicket, it didn't really give you much laterally right at the start, and it seemed to really run away fast, really fine behind the wicket. So, actually, I mean, in the field, we felt quite frustrated because it wasn't, the edges sort of went for four and stuff, but, yeah. So, at the start, it sort of felt like, I don't know, maybe you get 160, 170, but then after having batted on it second, I think it's a bit more tricky than that. So, yeah, I haven't really answered your question there, sorry.
[Reporter]
You talked pre-game about your one-day form last year and how that was reflected with the two ICC Awards. How satisfying is it coming into 2023 with a good knock in T20 cricket under your belt in the first game at a T20 World Cup?
[Nat]
Yeah, I'm really glad and happy to be sat here. To be honest, I thought maybe a couple of the bowlers could have done with the Player of the Match award. But, yeah, it's, I guess, great to be in fairly all right touch and, yeah, I'm really happy with how things are going at training. So, yeah, I'm glad that that translated into the match today.
[Reporter]
Nat, you've been around the team for a long time, obviously, and played in a lot of tournaments like this, won a World Cup at home. But from the outside looking in, England seem a little bit different. I don't know whether unburdened is the right word, fresh, whatever it is. Is that the case from the inside? Do you think this is a team in a better state than any World Cup before that you've been involved in?
[Nat]
I think so. At the moment, I guess the energy and the feel around the group is probably the best that I've felt as well. So, yeah, you're probably right. I mean, bar the T20 World Cup in Australia where it rained in Sydney and that result happened. Yeah, it feels like we're in a really, really good place. And yeah, I guess we have found a new way of playing and I guess a new mindset. I mean, everyone is capable of playing in that way, but allowing ourselves for it to be okay to fail as well, I guess that freedom has really allowed us to switch a little bit.
[Reporter]
Has it come from anywhere though? Sometimes even in the build-up to a campaign, as with England in Australia last year, they put it down to Pakistan and a few things that happened there. Has there been something that's just clicked, do you think, for you guys before this campaign?
[Nat]
I guess since Lewis has come on, he's really, I guess, brought that freedom and allowed us to fail for the success to happen. And the way that he wants us to play, he believes fully that that can be successful at a T20 World Cup and all the players are brought into that. So, yeah, we're excited.
[Reporter]
Just a continuation to the last couple of questions. How much of a factor has the failure at the Commonwealth Games at home been in terms of the recalibration that England might have brought about in their setup? Because we know how the 2017 semi-final in the ODI World Cup and the 2016 final for Australia brought about a similar recalibration. Can you talk us through that?
[Nat]
I guess, well, it feels like a different time. Obviously, we had a different coach and the feeling around the group was different. I think the switch really happened when Lewis came on board. I mean, obviously, that failure was hard on everyone and, yeah, I took it quite hard myself, to be honest. But, yeah, it feels like we had a little bit of time in a bit of limbo and then it's happened now. So, yeah, I mean, Lewis hasn't mentioned that really. As players, we'll always remember that, but, yeah, it's a different time.
[Reporter]
Speaking of coaches, your head coach has obviously signed up with the WPL franchise and who knows, in a few hours from now, a day or two later, you will be playing. You'll be signed up, picked up at the auction. Are you excited at the prospect of it?
[Nat]
Yeah, I am. I wish we weren't playing a match on the same day as it's not become a bit of a distraction, obviously, for our World Cup campaign. But, yeah, it's a strange time to be together as a group, but then also being, I guess, putting numbers on everyone. But, obviously, the overall feeling is we're massively excited, but, I mean, all chaos could ensue and we don't know what will happen. So, yeah, we'll see how we go on the next game day.
[Reporter]
Are you sort of hoping you end up being bought by the same franchise as George?
[Nat]
I mean, that would be nice. It would be good to have a familiar face, but I haven't bought him any extra coffees yet, so I don't know.
[Reporter]
Just on the Women's Premier League, Heather said yesterday that it's being left up to individual players how closely they follow it on the day of the auction. How closely do you plan to follow it?
[Nat]
Well, a week ago, I thought I wanted to ignore it until after the game. And then I thought, I don't know, because what if the order is the order of that list? And then what if one or two of our players might find out before we start? And people want to know, and if I don't want to know, everyone else will know. And then it all gets a bit complicated. So on the whole, I haven't decided yet.
[Reporter]
Just to return to today's match, you can't have played very many games for England in hotter conditions than that. Is this the hottest that you've played a game of cricketing and how did you deal with the heat? [Nat] Well, we had that test match at the Waka that I think beat that because there was actually a fairly nice breeze out there. So yeah, it's obviously something that we planned for coming to South Africa. Probably not that hot. But yeah, unfortunately, when you don't play on a game day like this, the role of the 12, 11, 13, 14, you know what I mean, becomes very valuable to our team. And they all did an excellent job of keeping us hydrated and cool. So yeah, it was tough, but I mean, it's probably going to get a bit hotter in the next few years.
[Reporter]
Interesting that you referred to John. I mean, is that a term?
[Nat]
That's not a thing. I just made that up.
[Reporter]
So how do you talk about this strategy in the group? Is it referred to as women's basketball at all?
[Nat]
No, we haven't spoken about basketball. It's just, I guess, the mindset. John's favorite line is to live in your shoes. So he's used that a lot. And also, walk towards the danger. But there's no title for it, just yet. I like John Ball. Make it a thing.