England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt in a ‘good place’ following mental health break and conversations with sports psychologists

Nat Sciver-Brunt is in a “good place” after taking a mental health break last year as she gears up for this summer’s ashes.

The England all-rounder had become “emotionally fatigued” and took a short hiatus last September, meaning she missed the home series against India.

She had been pushing herself to the limit and was one of the most sought-after players in the world, becoming overwhelmed and in need of a break from the sport.

The 30-year-old returned home to seek professional help from sports psychologists, and within two months returned to the England set-up for February’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies.

“I guess the WPL coincided with me feeling in a good place with my cricket and as a person, as well being really happy,” she said. “I didn’t have to dwell on it too much. I didn’t have to think about that, just concentrate on the cricket.

“The break it was something I felt I needed because of the six to 12 months before that. It did get on top of me a little bit.

“I did things that had been on the to-do list for a year. Just being happy at home, doing normal things: mow the lawn, take the dog for a walk.

“I spoke to a clinical psychologist a couple of times and tried to reflect on things, especially the Commonwealth Games, how that went and how that affected me which is probably the main trigger for needing to go home.

“Since then I haven’t spoken to her but felt like I have got a bit more perspective from it and am able to, not recover from things, but just deal with things that come my way.

“I have reflected a lot of with our England team psychologist as well and checked in with her quite a bit, voicing the expectations and how I thought it was going to go during the WPL… what would happen if I didn’t perform?

“I guess working through those situations before it happened was really useful. So many people say that it is better to talk, which it is.”

Sciver-Brunt is now looking ahead to a big summer with a tough Ashes test against Australia, who have dominated the series since 2015.

“I love playing for my country and want to prioritise that but also my mental health and getting the balance of being at home for a long enough period to reset,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to just say yes to everything and be cooked six months in.

“I have been communicating with the England staff and working out how best to get me ready for the Ashes Test match and the rest of the summer.”