England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has defended her side after their 2-1 ODI series loss to India, following on air comments from her wife – former fast-bowler Katherine – questioning their attitude.
England slumped to a 13-run defeat in the final match of their ODI series against India in Durham, consigning them to a 2-1 series loss. Having lost the T20I series as well, and with their next assignment being the 50-over World Cup later this year, they have plenty of questions to answer before then.
A key theme for the side over the last year has been their fielding and demeanour in the field. After copping heavy criticism during the Ashes and the T20 World Cup last year for fielding mistakes, that criticism surfaced again against India, particularly after they dropped at least six catches in the T20I at The Oval.
In Durham yesterday (July 22), scrappiness in the field and during the chase was once again an issue, with England missing two lbw reviews which would have been out if they had sent them to the third umpire, and collapsing in pursuit of a big target.
A victory in the final ODI at Durham means India have recorded back-to-back ODI series wins in England.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/KYB7DcLGqs
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 22, 2025
Katherine Sciver-Brunt: "To me, it looks lazy and like they don't care"
Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, Katherine Sciver-Brunt – who is married to England captain Nat and is still England's leading wicket-taker in ODIs two years on from her international retirement – questioned the side's attitude. "It's hard for me to understand some people sometimes, and their attitudes, because to me it looks lazy and like they don't care," Sciver-Brunt said. "Are they actually feeling like that? Or do you actually care a lot and that is your way of showing it? I struggled a lot with that.
"It came across to me as bad attitude and no discipline. That is definitely not what I'm seeing from everyone but at times there are examples."
"I don't think everyone is doing everything they possibly can. And the key to that question is why? I don't think there is anything malicious in that, it is a mental thing. We just need to be stronger internally and be more outwards with our fight."
When asked about her partner's on air comments in the post match press conference, Nat Sciver-Brunt defended her players. "I guess from the outside people might look in certain ways, but you never know what's going on inside. I know everyone on that pitch is committed to doing the best they can for England."
England head coach, and former international teammate of Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Charlotte Edwards also chipped in: "I couldn't be happier with where the squad's at at the moment, in terms of their attitude and effort and professionalism they've shown. That was something that I made very clear when I came into this role and I couldn't be happier."
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