A tearful Katherine Brunt is uncertain about continuing her England record career after the hosts left the Commonwealth Games without a consolation bronze medal.
With a narrow semi-final loss to India still fresh in the memory, England looked unable to revive to face New Zealand and limped to 110-9 in their third play-off yesterday.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates put England’s total in a harsh light with a 54-run stand in 4.3 overs before the Ferns White cruised to an eight-wicket win with 49 balls to spare.
Brunt finished with 0-23, including having to bowl a nine-ball at one stage, which would represent an inauspicious end to England’s leading bowler in one-day and T20 Internationals.
But asked if she will end a career in England that began in August 2004, the 37-year-old replied, wiping away tears: “I don’t know. I need to reflect on that a little bit and see where I am and what my next goal is.”
England had beaten New Zealand in 19 of their previous 21 T20s, including in the group stage three days ago, but the tables were turned emphatically.
Barely 12 hours after their gold medal hopes were ended by Australia, New Zealand were disciplined on the field and only England captain Nat Sciver showed any signs of push in her 27 off 19 balls.
She was removed on middle and off stump by opposite number Devine, who followed up figures of 2-11 in three overs with an unbeaten 51 from 40 balls, fittingly sealing the first women’s cricket medal to be awarded in these One-out play after Sciver poured in a running catcher up the middle.
Brunt said: “This is really difficult. The feeling is numb. We are much better than that, we are a finalist team. On a personal level, it’s the only thing I’ve come up with, so I’m definitely taking it pretty bad. Everything increases when you reach the end of your career. That match against India was brutal. It felt like the whole country was behind us. We are sad to let them down.”
While England beat New Zealand by seven wickets with 50 balls to spare on Thursday for a win in the third group out of three, the Kiwis lost one less wicket and needed just one more delivery to seal victory yesterday.
Sciver, who has captained the side for the entire tournament in the absence of the injured Heather Knight, said: “Very disappointing. But the way we played we didn’t deserve to get a medal. It’s a little easier to get than Saturday.”
England’s match against India drew almost 20,000 fans to Edgbaston, with cricket returning to the Games after a 24-year absence, which could be an important step towards the sport’s inclusion at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Reflecting on the opportunity and the last few days, Sciver said: “It’s been an incredible experience and I think the crowds have shown that people have really enjoyed coming to see whichever team it is. I’d like cricket to be in the Olympics, but we’ll see.”
