England vs India: From buying own kit to first Lord’s Test – hosts set for more history

Sciver-Brunt will be leading England for the first time in a Test match, as England’s last home Test was during the 2023 Ashes series.

In the past few months, she has struggled with a calf injury which ruled her out of the start of the summer and three World Cup group games. She played a match-winning knock in the semi-final against South Africa, and then suffered more heartbreak at the hands of the Aussies last weekend.

Such is the nature of women’s Tests being so infrequent, she has had four days to both digest that defeat and get ready for the red ball.

“It could have happened in the past three or four years,” Sciver-Brunt statedwhen asked about whether the Lord’s Test could have come sooner.

“We are pretty deserving of being here and we’ll relish the opportunity of it.”

Sciver-Brunt is one of six players from the World Cup final XI to be in the Test squad, alongside Heather Knight, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Sophie Ecclestone and Amy Jones.

There is always an element of learning on the job in women’s Tests given their scarcity, and Sciver-Brunt cited the difficulty of fitting games in around the schedule when asked about her desire to play more of them.

“Scheduling is always the thing that may hold us back. The minorgap between the end of the T20 World Cup and Hundred is what we’ve chosen this year.

“Multi-format tours aren’t that unusual currently- we’ve got a couple lined up – I hope every team can more Test matches but I think at the moment we’re one of the lucky teams who get to play some.”

Adding to the curious nature of the timing and meaning of the game, England’s squad is also unusual. Several World Cup players were rested including vice-captain Charlie Dean – but she has currentlybeen included in Somerset’s T20 Blast squad on Friday, the same day the Test begins.

Wicketkeeper Ellie Threlkeld, spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, all-rounder Mady Villiers and rapidbowler Grace Potts are the new faces in the squad, but Sciver-Brunt’s inability to bowl due to the ongoing mangement of a calf injury leaves the balance of the XI in question.

Given the scorching temperatures forecast, England would be expected to play another spinner alongside Ecclestone. Corteen-Coleman’s inclusion would leave the batting light, but Villiers has not played internationally since 2024 and is less of a frontline spinner.

England will also need to be wary of the workloads of Lauren Filer, whose pace lends herself to be more of an impact bowler in short spells, and Bell, who has played in almost every England match this summer.