Captain Sciver-Brunt fit for England's World Cup semi-final

Sciver-Brunt scored 46 not out and 48 in her two World Cup innings before the injury

>England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been passed fit to return from injury for Thursday's T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

>Sciver-Brunt, 33, who has not played since England's second match of the tournament against Ireland after a recurrence of her calf issue, batted in the nets again on Wednesday morning.

>She also trained on Tuesday at Lord's and England have deemed her fit enough to return as her side attempts to win a World Cup for the first time since 2017.

>"We are confident I am fully fit," Sciver-Brunt told BBC Test Match Special.

>Sciver-Brunt, who has used rare magnetic resonance therapy to help regain her fitness, is likely to replace Sophia Dunkley in England's XI.

>Batter Dunkley was seen in conversation with coach Charlotte Edwards shortly before Sciver-Brunt emerged to speak to the media.

>While Sciver-Brunt batted for half an hour on Wednesday, appearing relatively free and able to come down the pitch to spinners, there are obvious risks involved.

>She worked with England's physio indoors at the start of the session but did not do any running or fielding drills outdoors.

>There are less than 72 hours before Sunday's final.

>"We have tested it enough to be comfortable," she said. "What will happen out on the pitch will happen."

>Assuming she comes through, Sciver-Brunt's presence for the latter stages is a significant boost to England.

>She is their best batter and, though Charlie Dean has stood up successfully in her absence, their captain. Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight and Danni Wyatt-Hodge are the only players remaining from their last World Cup win.

>England have lost their last two World Cup semi-finals against South Africa - at last year's 50-over World Cup and the T20 version in 2023 - but go into Thursday's match at The Oval as favourites, having progressed through the group stage unbeaten. They have also never lost a women's international at The Oval.

>South Africa have been unconvincing at times through this tournament but have reached the past three World Cup finals across formats as they chase their first World Cup win.

>And captain Laura Wolvaardt admitted her batting line-up - blessed with powerful strokemakers such as Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp and Wolvaardt - has not been at "100%" and it has been "frustrating" they were not able to win games more comfortably.

>"We have chatted about it, that if we do find ourselves in a position to kill the game earlier we are blessed with a lot of power in our line-up," she said.

>"We have that opportunity to go a bit earlier. Maybe tomorrow at The Oval suits us a bit better."

>Wolvaardt also swerved a question on whether she would be happy for Sciver-Brunt to have a substitute fielder, should the England captain injure her calf again.

>Cricket's laws state substitutes are allowed to replace players who suffer an injury during a match, rather than an issue carried in.

>"As a captain it is always hard to plan for her," Wolvaardt added.

>"She is a world-class batter and is able to hit really weird areas.

>"Setting a field is quite hard for her. Hopefully we are able to keep her quiet."

>England playing their best cricket in years - Hartley

>England hope rare therapy used by NBA icon O'Neal will get Sciver-Brunt fit