England Players Will Use Social Media During T20 World Cup

England announced that it will not enforce a social media ban on its players during the Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on 12 June 2026. Current captain Nat Sciver-Brunt expressed that the social media landscape has significantly changed since the 2017 50-over World Cup, where the team opted to limit its social media presence. At that time, while some players avoided social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), others continued to use Instagram.

Sciver-Brunt stated, "If you asked some of our younger players to come off social media, they would be like, ‘What? Are you joking?’” She emphasized that individual players would make their own choices regarding social media use and acknowledged that it remains a crucial part of their lives. "There’s always support out there for us to work out the best way of using our platforms and using it to support the team," she added.

For many athletes, social media serves not only as a means of connecting with fans but also as a source of income through brand deals and sponsorships. During a recent event at London’s Piccadilly Circus, where Sciver-Brunt's image appeared alongside teammates Sophia Dunkley and Lauren Bell, she noted the growth and visibility of women’s cricket since 2017.

Sciver-Brunt recognized that while criticism is part of an athlete's profession, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has measures in place to monitor players’ social media accounts for harmful comments and to filter potentially negative content.

Referencing her experience in 2017, Sciver-Brunt remarked, "I don’t really remember social media taking over my life then. But you spend so much time on your phone these days that it’s impossible not to see things.” She mentioned that she avoids reading too many articles or comments to maintain her focus.

In preparation for the tournament, Sciver-Brunt has been recovering from a calf injury. She expressed optimism about being fit for the opener against Sri Lanka and intends to participate in warm-up matches against India and Australia, although she primarily expects to play as a specialist batter due to her ongoing recovery.

Following an impressive series win against India, Sciver-Brunt is expected to return to the batting order at number three. This shift may influence team selections, especially regarding the bowling line-up, as coach Charlotte Edwards plans for Sciver-Brunt to regain her position. Captaincy duties currently held by Charlie Dean have been positively received, and Sciver-Brunt praised her deputy for the leadership experience.