England cricketers Nat Sciver and Katherine Brunt announce engagement

England cricketers Nat Sciver and Katherine Brunt have announced their engagement.

The pair, who have been dating since their World Cup victory in July 2017, revealed their relationship in an interview with The Guardian.

Brunt asked Sciver to be her girlfriend in the home dressing hours after they became world champions, and it was the fast bowler again who popped the big question on New Year’s Eve last year.

On why they waited to make their relationship public, Brunt explained: "My parents are different to Natalie's. They are quite Christian so it is not something that is done and that's why it has held me back.

"They don’t believe in the way I choose to live my life, basically, so it has been quite difficult.

"Having to tell my parents was really difficult because I care a lot about them so it was something I put off for a long, long time. But as I have got older, I have seen sense and realised that it is not about that, it is about being yourself and living life properly.

“My parents love me: there is no questioning that. They will always be there for me and support me. They are still my parents and they still love me, so it is a compromise I have to take but I am ok with that.”

The cricketers had lived together as friends for four years before Brunt asked Sciver to be her girlfriend.

Brunt added: “She was madly in love with me!

“But I was constantly putting her at arm’s length because I didn’t think it was professional and I didn’t want to stuff up our friendship.”

However, she said she "knew it was right" when they eventually made their relationship official at the Home of Cricket.

Announcing their engagement on her Instagram page on Friday - National Coming Out Day - Sciver said: "Welcome to our wine and magazine party #ISaidYes #Mrs&Mrs #Bridesmaids."

The pair were engaged at Chamonix Valley in the French Alps, and will return to the same spot for their wedding after next September's series against India.

Sciver and Brunt will also play alongside each other for Trent Rockets in next year's inaugural edition of The Hundred.