\n<\/p>\n
Sciver-Brunt first injured her calf on 29 April, suffering what was then described by England as a “minor” tear when playing in domestic cricket.<\/p>\n
She subsequently sat out series against New Zealand and India at the start of the international summer before returning for England’s World Cup warm-up matches.<\/p>\n
The England captain came through warm-ups against Australia and India and the first match of the World Cup against Sri Lanka but reported ‘tightness’ in a win over Ireland 10 days ago.<\/p>\n
She has not played since and England will either play their semi-final on Tuesday or Thursday next week, depending on other results.<\/p>\n
“The one thing you need is time,” Worth said.<\/p>\n
“You need time to allow the muscle to repair and then strengthen in the right way. Those timelines are tight, particularly given a history of previous injuries in the same area, but not impossible.”<\/p>\n
Calf injuries are a regular issue for cricketers. England’s leading wicket-taker James Anderson had calf problems in the latter part of his career.<\/p>\n
Worth said this is because of issues specific to cricket, like batters having to sprint from a standing start or bowlers slamming their front foot into the crease in their delivery stride, and the make-up of the muscle.<\/p>\n
“You have two different types of tissue that come together,” he said. “You have your calf which is the upper bit and then the Achilles tendon.<\/p>\n
“Wherever there are two types of tissue in terms of composition, that is often where there is a weak point.<\/p>\n
“Things like taking a run, going from 0 to 100mph, are really difficult to replicate in rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
“You have the immediate calming down on inflammation but tendons like load and need to strengthen.<\/p>\n
“It is very difficult to get the balance between working the muscle enough and not pushing it too far.<\/p>\n
“Quite often calf injuries are tricky because you feel like you have done the work and you put them back onto the field in a match situation and something goes again.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n