England outclass South Africa to book blockbuster Women’s T20 World Cup final against Australia
England Women ended years of heartbreak against South Africa with a dominant 40-run victory in the second semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup at the Kennington Oval on Thursday, securing a blockbuster title clash against Australia at Lord’s on July 5.
After suffering semi-final defeats to the Proteas in the 2023 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ODI World Cup, England finally turned the tables with a clinical all-round display under captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. The win also set up a dream final between the tournament’s two unbeaten teams, with Australia having eased past West Indies in the first semi-final.
Sciver-Brunt, Knight rescue England after top-order collapse
England’s innings got off to the worst possible start after South Africa elected to bowl in helpful overhead conditions. Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail ripped through the top order, reducing the hosts to 35/3 inside the Powerplay.
Ismail dismissed Amy Jones to become the first bowler to claim 50 wickets in Women’s T20 World Cup history before removing Alice Capsey, while Kapp accounted for tournament top-scorer Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
With England under immense pressure, skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt and former captain Heather Knight produced a stunning rescue act. The experienced pair stitched together a record 133-run partnership for the fourth wicket—the highest stand in a Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final.
Returning from injury, Sciver-Brunt led from the front with a superb 75 off 47 balls, striking 11 fours and a six while equalling the record for the most half-centuries in Women’s T20 World Cup history with her eighth fifty. Knight complemented her perfectly with a composed 58 off 47 deliveries, hitting six boundaries and a six as England seized complete control of the contest.
Although Nonkululeko Mlaba removed both set batters in the penultimate over to finish with 2/25, Dani Gibson’s late cameo helped England recover brilliantly from 35/3 to post a challenging 169/7.
England bowlers complete commanding win
South Africa began the chase positively through Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, who added 43 runs for the opening wicket. However, England’s disciplined bowling attack gradually tightened the screws.
Linsey Smith broke the opening stand by dismissing Wolvaardt, while Charlie Dean struck twice to remove Marizanne Kapp and the dangerous Brits, who top-scored with a fighting 51. Freya Kemp, Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone chipped in with crucial wickets as South Africa struggled to keep pace with the required run rate.
England also excelled in the field, highlighted by Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s direct-hit run-out of Sinalo Jafta, ensuring the Proteas never mounted a serious challenge.
South Africa eventually finished on 130, handing England a convincing 40-run victory. With confidence soaring, Sciver-Brunt’s side now heads to Lord’s for a mouth-watering final against defending champions Australia, where the Women’s T20 World Cup title will be decided between the competition’s two unbeaten teams.
Comments are closed.