England Women's Katherine Brunt retains unstinting yearning to play after winning 100th cap
Friday 14 July 2017 10:26, UK
There will be more decisive days, days where she wins a match by sheer will alone, writes Francis Kelly.
There will be days that have a greater impact on a series or tournament, the type that make those top 10 listicles of best performances that appear upon retirement. There will be days that end by lifting silverware, joyous occasions that determine the greats from the good. But none will feel quite as special for Katherine Brunt as the World Cup encounter between England and New Zealand where she was presented with her 100th England ODI cap by her father, Mick. These are the kind of memories time cannot fade.
With team-mates huddled around, and a little over an hour to go until the match started, Brunt senior stepped forward to offer a few words and hand over the new headwear. Speaking quietly but poignantly, he mentioned how proud he was, bringing them both to tears.
There is lots for Brunt to be proud of, not least the remarkable undertaking by her to make it to triple-figure appearances. After all, her glittering career almost stalled before it set off. She stepped away from the game for a while as a teenager having struggled with fitness issues. But her determination, a character trait that would go on to define her career, saw her return and lose the weight required to play for England.
Once in the international team, she suffered a string of bad injuries that hampered the desire to be the quickest on the planet and almost resulted in her retirement. She came back. She always does. Not even a remodelled action could prevent her from being one of the fastest, her fortitude wouldn't allow for that.
Brunt by name, brunt by nature. At least on the pitch, that is. From bearing the load placed on England's small stock of fast bowlers to her forceful action that sweeps up those in her proximity and breaks opposition, Brunt is the type of player you want on your team.
A pillar of English cricket, so long has Brunt been involved that two members of the current squad are able to recall a time when they were child mascots and she walked past them to take to the field for England.
At the heart of her performances is a simple unstinting yearning to play. Whatever the role, whatever the situation, she can be counted on, sometimes to her own detriment. While representing Perth Scorchers in the recent Big Bash tournament, Brunt picked up a knock but continued to turn out. For England coach Mark Robinson, part of his role is "to protect her from herself because we want her to keep playing for England for a few more years yet".
Thirteen years in the sport protects batters from her most menacing deliveries these days. But despite her pace retreating, the competitive edge burns just as bright. Often described as passionate and aggressive, Brunt will readily admit to being an unyielding opponent. Why when you've worked so hard to get to the top would you not want to succeed?
That willpower is still just as evident as she enters the twilight years of her playing time. You only need to watch her powerful batting display at Bristol against Australia to know that. Or the way she flung herself around in the field that day. Or the manner in which she celebrated her wickets of Ellyse Perry and Alex Blackwell.
She has also, through one-on-one training with Steve Oldham, James Kirtley and Tom Smith, worked on her bowling variations and further developed her control of the ball. All of this is in an effort to prolong her career. While she may not be taking as many wickets in this World Cup as previously, she has collected numerous dot balls and built pressure.
This England side is forged on togetherness, relying on every member to pull the same way. So it was here at Derby, as Brunt and fellow opening bowler Anya Shrubsole kept one of the quickest scoring sides in the tournament to 36-1 from the first 10 overs. It provided the spinners the opportunity to attack and rip through the New Zealand line-up, securing England a semi-final spot.
It is easy to understand then, why Robinson is so keen to retain her services. There are no others around that can do what she does. Has done. Will do. As she celebrates her ODI centenary, this member of cricketing royalty won't be ousted unless it's on her terms.
Live coverage of the ICC Women's World Cup continues on Sky Sports platforms this Saturday with four matches, including England against West Indies.
