Natalie Sciver-Brunt is one of the leading women’s cricketers of the 21st century. A legend in the modern game, the English lady holds an impeccable all-round record in all formats of women’s international cricket. A highlight of her career came in the 2017 Women’s World Cup in a match against New Zealand. During her blitz match-winning knock of 125 runs in only 111 balls, she produced a first-of-a-kind shot that drew attention of cricket lovers.
England would secure a semis berth courtesy of Sciver-Brunt’s innings. They would even lift the World Cup title. However, during that knock of 125* Sciver-Brunt produced a shot that required precision and skill. When a full-length delivery pitched between her legs in line of the leg stump, Sciver-Brunt, angled and guided the ball between her legs. What caught the eye of many was her effortless technique which rarely saw a bat lift or a follow through. The ball raced to the fine leg region for runs. This technique of Sciver-Brunt was thus named, The NatMeg.
“Basically, as my stance is quite wide, I get into a position where I can’t move my front foot again. If it is really full then all I can really do is hit it like an axe. Luckily, I hit it. It is by chance. There is no more exciting story than that. Everyone’s like, ‘Ah! So close to getting the wicket’. I am like ‘he he’,” said Sciver-Brunt after the match.
In soccer, when a player kicks the ball such that it passes between the opponent’s legs, then this trick shot is called nutmeg. Since Natalie’s shot also sees the ball being guided between the legs, the term NatMeg couldn’t be more appropriate. In men’s cricket, England’s Jonny Bairstow played the NatMeg when a full-length delivery by pace bowler Kagiso Rabada pitched right between the legs.
