LONDON (AP) — Nat Sciver-Brunt has been appointed captain of the England women’s cricket team.
The England and Wales Cricket Board said Tuesday that Sciver-Brunt will replace Heather Knight, who stepped down after nine years in March as part of an overhaul following poor results.
England was eliminated in the group stage of last year’s T20 World Cup and lost the multi-format Ashes series to Australia 16-0 this year.
The appointment of the all-rounder came after former England captain Charlotte Edwards succeeded Jon Lewis as head coach earlier this month.
Sciver-Brunt, who has served as vice-captain the last three years, will captain the team in all three formats.
“I’m really proud to take on the role of captain of the England women’s team and it’s an honor to have been asked by Charlotte, someone I’ve always looked up to,” Sciver-Brunt said. “I will try my best to lead this team to success, whilst empowering them to be the best version of themselves.”
The 32-year-old Sciver-Brunt has made 259 appearances for England in all formats since her debut in 2013 and was on the team that won the 2017 World Cup.
She averages 46.47 in test cricket, 45.91 in one-day internationals and 28.45 in T20s. She has taken 181 international wickets.
She is ranked No. 3 in the ICC world batting rankings in ODI cricket.
England kicks off the summer season on May 21 with a ODI and T20 series against West Indies.
The first major event for Sciver-Brunt, the 50-over World Cup, is scheduled for September in India.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
FILE - England's Nat Sciver-Brunt celebrates the dismissal of India's Sneh Rana on the first day of the first test cricket match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Dec. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade, File)
SYDNEY (AP) — Belinda Bencic rallied from a set down to stun No. 2-ranked Iga Świątek 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to give Switzerland a surprise lead over Poland in the final of the United Cup on Sunday.
Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka, who will retire at the end of this season, played Hubert Hurkacz later Sunday, with the Polish player needing to win to keep his country in the tie.
Bencic, who had won all four of her singles and four mixed doubles matches this week, came into her match against Świątek having lost her last five matches against the former No. 1-ranked player.
It looked as if that trend was going to continue as Świątek started strongly and claimed the opening set 6-3 at Ken Rosewall Arena.
But the No.11-ranked Bencic shifted the momentum by winning nine consecutive points to open the second, evening the match in a swift 33-minute set.
The decisive third set hinged on a crucial break at 2-1, where Bencic capitalized on a powerful forehand to seize control. While Swiatek fought to save two match points with consecutive aces, her effort was hampered by an uncharacteristic 36 unforced errors, compared to just 10 from Bencic.
Bencic sealed the win with a sublime backhand winner into the open court on her third match point.
“To be honest, I felt I was in the match from the very first point,” Bencic said. “I thought I was going great and I was 0-3 down. I was ‘OK, what do I have to do.’ I think I just tried to keep the level and just wait for some chances.”
“I think the difference today was I played very freely, I was really enjoying myself out on the court and I was just really going for it.”
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Iga Swiatek of Poland hits a forehand to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during their final match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, right, and Iga Swiatek of Poland meet at the net after Bencic won their final match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Iga Swiatek of Poland Belinda reacts after missing a shot to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during their final match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrates defeting Iga Swiatek of Poland in their final match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, left, celebrates with teammate Stan Wawrinka after defeting Iga Swiatek of Poland in their final match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
