Twenty20 Success Perfect Start For Evans

 

by James Skitt - 24.06.09

England’s emphatic six wicket victory over New Zealand in the final of the Women’s ICC World Twenty20 at Lords on Sunday completed a fantastic double for Charlotte Edwards side following their World Cup triumph in Australia earlier this year.

For English Institute of Sport (EIS) Physiotherapist Rachel Evans it was also the perfect way to begin to her involvement with the squad after joining them as a full time Physiotherapist in May.

“The World Twenty20 has been a fantastic experience and so exciting for me to be involved in after just a few weeks with the squad” Rachel says.

England won all their matches throughout the tournament, including a thrilling run chase in the semi final win over Australia before a superb bowling and fielding display in the final saw New Zealand bowled out for just 85.

 “The semi final against Australia at The Oval was extremely tense but the girls batted brilliantly to reach the final” says Evans. “They are rightly playing with so much confidence at the moment and it’s fantastic for me to come into such a winning environment.”

Evans, who worked alongside ECB Women’s Physiotherapist Sue Hughes throughout the tournament, was called into action before the first game had even began when fast bowler Katherine Brunt was struck in the face by a ball in the warm up.

“It was a nasty injury which subsequently ruled her out of the group matches, however fortunately there was no fracture so she was able to return for the semi final” she says.

Brunt returned to make a crucial contribution in the final, producing a devastating spell of 3-6 to put the New Zealand batsman on the back foot early on before Claire Taylor’s 39 not out helped ease the side to their victory target with 3 overs remaining.

However there will be little time to rest for the side as, like their male counterparts, they too can now look forward to an Ashes battle this summer.

“The squad have got just two days off before we get together again to prepare for a one off Twenty20 and five One Day Internationals against Australia before an Ashes Test” Evans explains.

Evans is one of two full time EIS practitioners currently working with the squad alongside Strength and Conditioning coach Ian Crump, whilst EIS colleagues Lisa Kerry (Physiotherapy) and Ian Durrant (Strength and Conditioning) provide the equivalent to one day a weeks support to the squad at Bisham Abbey for the southern based players.

“It’s a really exciting time for me to become involved with the squad” says Evans. “This is the first time they have had a full time physiotherapist so it’s an opportunity for me to work alongside Ian and the rest of the teams support staff and coaches to be more proactive and build more robust prehabilitation and rehabilitation programmes to the benefit of the players” she says.

Photography © Getty Images