Sciver-Brunt excited to play in front of big crowds in the Ashes

All-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt says there is no extra pressure on England despite record ticket sales for the Women's Ashes this summer.

With just under a month to go before the multi-format series against holders Australia, more than 70,000 tickets have been sold across seven venues.

Edgbaston is leading the way with over 16,000 tickets now sold for the IT20 in Birmingham on Saturday 1 July (6.30pm start) – which is set to break the record for an individual women’s bilateral international in the UK.

Tickets remain available from only £17 for adults and £5 for under 16s, while group packages are available by emailing groups@edgbaston.com.

“We’re the underdogs, so there is not more pressure on us,” all-rounder Sciver-Brunt told BBC Sport. “The ticket sales is a big number, that comes with a lot more eyes on us. That could bring pressure, but only from the outside.

“These are opportunities that have to be taken. It is the right time, right place and right moment.”

Australia have held the Ashes since 2015 and are the 50-over and 20-over world champions, as well as Commonwealth champions. The Ashes series, which contains one Test, three one-day internationals and three T20s, gets under way on 22 June.

Last year’s combined record ticket sales for women’s internationals of 50,000 has already been broken. More than double the amount of tickets for the last Women’s Ashes in the UK in 2019 have been sold.

“Hopefully we can mimic what the Lionesses achieved,” said 30-year-old Sciver-Brunt.

“It will feel different because there will be more people there, hopefully making more noise and supporting us. That will help, giving energy when we might need a little boost, or riding the wave when things are going well.

“That’s where we want to be, we want to play in front of big crowds, use that noise, energy and pressure and turn it into a positive.”