“I’ve played a lot of cricket over the last nine months and I am very emotionally fatigued,” Sciver said. “Elite sport demands a lot and for the moment I’m not able to perform without compromising my own wellbeing, so I need to take some time away from cricket in order to focus on myself. It’s the right decision for me and it’s the right decision for the team.”
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England are yet to name their squad for the three-match ODI leg of the tour, which follows the third T20I in Bristol in a week’s time and culminates at Lord’s on September 24.
Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women’s Cricket, said: “We fully support Nat and her decision to step away from this series. Cricket is important, but it is wholly insignificant in the context of an individual’s health and happiness.
“The welfare of our players and staff is always our number one priority and we will support Nat throughout this period.”
Sciver also stood down from the captaincy of Trent Rockets midway through the Hundred, to “focus on her own game”, according to a Rockets spokesperson at the time. Sciver captained the Rockets in four of their previous five outings, missing their opening match for personal reasons.
Sciver captained England in Knight’s absence throughout their disappointing Commonwealth Games campaign in which the host nation lost the bronze-medal playoff against New Zealand, with Australia claiming cold and India silver.
T20I Series
Sept 10, 1st T20I, Chester-le-Street
Sept 13, 2nd T20I, Derby
Sept 15, 3rd T20I, Bristol
ODI series
Sept 18, 1st ODI, Hove
Sept 21, 2nd ODI, Canterbury
Sept 24, 3rd ODI, Lord’s
Valkerie Baynes is a general editor at ESPNcricinfo
Source: ESPN Crickinfo