Katherine Brunt has revealed she is fulfilling a childhood dream by taking part in the Commonwealth Games, which starts at Edgbaston this weekend.
The Yorkshire and Northern Diamonds legend is going for gold with England during a 10-day long T20 tournament also involving arch-rivals Australia.
Brunt and fellow Diamond Nat Sciver are in England’s squad of 15 captained by Heather Knight.
Eight teams will be split into two groups of four; England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Barbados and Sri Lanka.
The top two in each qualify for the semi-finals before the final next Sunday at 5pm.
England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka are all in Group B, which kicks off tomorrow. England’s first game is against Sri Lanka, under lights, at 6pm.
The competition starts today when Australia face India at 11am. All games will be televised via BBC Sport.
England’s squad also includes the likes of Kate Cross, Amy Jones and Danni Wyatt. All-rounder Alice Capsey and left-arm seamer Freya Kemp, both 17-year-olds, are also involved.
Legendary seamer Brunt said: “I don’t think anyone has stopped thinking about the Commonwealth Games from when we were first told we would be in.
“It sounds corny, but growing up watching people in the Olympics – I know it is not the Olympics, but it feels like the Olympics – with medals and people on podiums, I just adored those people and thought they were gods.
“To be around those people and feel a part of what they are doing, who they are, that is what my dreams were made of, and I never thought it would happen.
“It is quite weird, and I’m so grateful at the age I am to still be here and be a part of it.”
Aside from Monday and next Friday, there are two games per day at Edgbaston.
England’s group games are tomorrow against Sri Lanka, Tuesday against South Africa (11am) and Thursday against New Zealand (6pm).
