Brunt winds back the clock with medals on her mind

Katherine Brunt has a new lease on life following what she has described as the toughest period of her 22-year international career to date.

The ultracompetitive 37-year-old quick is being fuelled by a desire to prove the doubters wrong, even as she admits thoughts of retirement are constantly on her mind.

Brunt endured a tough period through the one-day World Cup earlier this year, taking just four wickets in nine matches.

She recently admitted she had battled with "mental and physical strife" throughout that period, and shortly after announced her retirement from Tests in order to focus solely on the white-ball legs of the recent multi-format series against South Africa, and on the Commonwealth Games.

The international retirement of long-time new-ball partner Anya Shrubsole after the World Cup had prompted some to question if Brunt would follow suit in all formats – but she admitted on Thursday it only drove her to continue.

"It was the hardest beginning of the year I've ever had in any season I've ever played," Brunt said ahead of England's semi-final against India tonight (8pm AEST, 7plus) in Birmingham.

"I've had a lot of questions for myself, and I've worked exceptionally hard in the last three months before this tournament.

"Anybody that doubts me or challenges me motivates me a lot.

"It's the one thing I've always responded well to, those challenges, especially personal ones.

"So I like them and keep them coming, please."

Brunt returned with a bang against South Africa last month, taking 2-5 off five overs in the first of three one-dayers in Northampton.

She followed up with a career best 4-15 in the opening T20I, and that form has carried on to the Commonwealth Games, most pointedly in England's seven-wicket win over the White Ferns, where she took 2-4 in a devastating new-ball spell.

In nine limited-overs internationals this northern summer, Brunt has captured 12 wickets at an average of eight.

Still, she is undecided whether she will play on following this weekend's Commonwealth Games medal matches – but there is the carrot of another T20 World Cup in South Africa next February if she does decide to continue.

"I'm feeling good and playing well and it's hard to walk away from stuff like that," she said.

"So a lot going on is going on in my head right now."

If Brunt does call stumps in the near future, there will be at least two players quietly celebrating in the New Zealand camp.

White Ferns captain Sophie Devine, who was bowled by Brunt in the first over of their match at Edgbaston on Thursday, provided a typically tongue-in-cheek take on the England veteran post-match.

"To be perfectly honest, me and Suze (Suzie Bates) said we can't wait until she retires," Devine said.

"She's been pestering us for 15-odd years or so.

"Look, she's just outstanding, she defies her age and her skill is unbelievable so full credit to her to still be able to run in and bowl the way that she does.

"She's a really wily player. She probably isn't as quick as she used to be, she'd be the first to admit that (but) she's just a really smart bowler and she will leave at a massive hole when she does retire… which is hopefully soon."

2022 Commonwealth Games

Australia's squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

See all the Commonwealth Games cricket squads here

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados

Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka

July 29: Australia beat India by three wickets

July 31: Australia beat Barbados by nine wickets

August 3: Australia beat Pakistan by 44 runs

Semi-finals: August 6

England v India, 11am local (8pm AEST)

Australia v New Zealand, 6pm local (3am Aug 7 AEST)

Bronze medal match: August 7, 10am local (7pm AEST)

Gold medal match: August 7, 5pm local (2am Aug 8 AEST)

All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium.