O'Neal's therapy aids England's Sciver-Brunt for T20 semifinal

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was passed fit for Thursday's T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa, following considerable efforts behind the scenes. The all-rounder utilized various well-known recovery techniques including ice, compression, physiotherapy, and oxygen therapy, alongside a treatment that was previously untried by the women's cricket team.

Sciver-Brunt underwent magnetic resonance therapy, also known as MBST, a rare treatment that employs electromagnetic energy to promote cell healing, commonly used for arthritis. The 33-year-old participated in seven hour-long sessions, stating, "I threw everything at" getting back to fitness as she was immobilized with her leg in a horseshoe-shaped device.

While magnetic resonance therapy remains uncommon, former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal has reportedly used similar treatments. Sciver-Brunt kept the therapy machine both at her home and in the team hotel. Nick Worth, a sports physiotherapist with three decades of experience with elite athletes, mentioned that although evidence backing the treatment is limited, some athletes have seen positive outcomes.

"The electromagnetic field goes around the injured area, and they undergo treatment for about an hour, seven or eight times," he explained. "The electromagnetic energy naturally promotes healing in the cells, without needing any medication or drugs. It is a safe option that won’t cause harm." He added that in elite sports, there is a continuous effort to explore boundaries for marginal advantages.

Sciver-Brunt first injured her calf on 29 April, suffering what was initially labeled a "minor" tear during domestic cricket. She missed the series against New Zealand and India at the onset of the international summer but returned for England's World Cup warm-up games. The skipper successfully participated in warm-ups against Australia and India and played in the opening World Cup match against Sri Lanka. However, she felt "tightness" during a win over Ireland ten days prior.

Sciver-Brunt practiced batting in the nets on Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but limited her running to gentle exercises. Worth noted the unique challenges cricket presents in replicating match situations during calf injury recovery, stressing the importance of progressively loading tendons while avoiding over-exertion. "Calf injuries can be tricky as athletes often believe they've completed their rehab and then reinjure themselves in a game," he stated.