129/8 (20.0)
CR : 6.45
169/5 (20.0)
CR : 8.45
England Women won by 40 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Nat Sciver-Brunt
75(47)
Player of the Match: Nat Sciver-Brunt
Nat Sciver-Brunt (Player of the Match): "[What were your feelings coming into this game?] I guess obviously nervous. The occasion gets quite big as well. That increases the nerves as well. I missed a few games as well. There was a lot of information pre-game but as soon as the warm-ups started, I managed to switch back to game time. And just enjoyed myself out there.
[What was the chat with Knight during that partnership?] I guess Shabnim and Marizanne are world-class bowlers that we knew could do damage. Me and Heather wanted to nullify the threat and wanted to be in and enable to capitalize on the other bowlers. With our experience, we got the job done.
[On the conditions] Yeah, little bit variable bounce. So I guess we had to be strong on the stumps. I guess be very clear on where we wanted to score. And when you are in a period of time, it gets easier. It was difficult for the new batters coming in. The partnership was crucial."
[What was the chat with Knight during that partnership?] I guess Shabnim and Marizanne are world-class bowlers that we knew could do damage. Me and Heather wanted to nullify the threat and wanted to be in and enable to capitalize on the other bowlers. With our experience, we got the job done.
[On the conditions] Yeah, little bit variable bounce. So I guess we had to be strong on the stumps. I guess be very clear on where we wanted to score. And when you are in a period of time, it gets easier. It was difficult for the new batters coming in. The partnership was crucial."
Most Player of the Match Awards in Women’s T20 WCs:
8 – Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
7 – Charlotte Edwards (England), Alyssa Healy (Australia), Stafanie Taylor (West Indies)
6 – Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Ellyse Perry (Australia), Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)*
8 – Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
7 – Charlotte Edwards (England), Alyssa Healy (Australia), Stafanie Taylor (West Indies)
6 – Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Ellyse Perry (Australia), Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)*
Most Player of the Match Awards for England in WT20Is:
15 – Danni Wyatt-Hodge
14 – Charlotte Edwards, Nat Sciver-Brunt*
12 – Heather Knight, Sarah Taylor
15 – Danni Wyatt-Hodge
14 – Charlotte Edwards, Nat Sciver-Brunt*
12 – Heather Knight, Sarah Taylor
TRIVIA: Australia and England are set to clash in a Women's T20 World Cup final for the fourth time, having previously met in the title clashes of 2012, 2014 and 2018.
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa Women Captain): "[Thoughts on the game?] Yeah, very disappointed. Not meant to be for us today. Got outplayed by a very good England side today. They played really well.
[What didn't work out for them this evening?] Not too sure. The main difference between our innings and their innings was more partnerships. We started well with the ball but they had that big partnership. We didn't have any partnerships to speak of and didn't have any batters going. Frustrating to lose this one on the big stage. But yeah, we will go back to the drawing board.
[On the pitch and what was the score they would have liked chasing?] It was a pretty decent pitch. Coming on nicely. I thought 170 was above par. We were pretty happy with that, especially with that outfield. It was lightning. It was going to be tough to defend. But they bowled well. Had different plans for us and we weren't able to step up.
[How challenging is it to play against England with this massive home support?] It does play a role. But good to see so many fans out here tonight. It adds to the vibe and the energy. Couple of South Africans as well that I saw. That was nice.
[On their campaign] Decent campaign for us. Happy to make it through the group stages. Upon reflection, our batting never fired throughout the competition. We had glimpses here and there. But I think as a whole, we weren't quite clicking. So, yeah that showed again today. Our bowling and fielding was good throughout. So, we will have a look at what we have done wrong and come back better next time.
[Do you think the youngsters have learnt enough lessons in this WC?] I hope so. Yeah, we have got an exciting mix at the moment. We have senior players and some exciting youngsters coming through as well. We will learn from this. The likes of Dercksen, she was good throughout the tournament with the bat. So yeah players like that can be good in the next edition."
[What didn't work out for them this evening?] Not too sure. The main difference between our innings and their innings was more partnerships. We started well with the ball but they had that big partnership. We didn't have any partnerships to speak of and didn't have any batters going. Frustrating to lose this one on the big stage. But yeah, we will go back to the drawing board.
[On the pitch and what was the score they would have liked chasing?] It was a pretty decent pitch. Coming on nicely. I thought 170 was above par. We were pretty happy with that, especially with that outfield. It was lightning. It was going to be tough to defend. But they bowled well. Had different plans for us and we weren't able to step up.
[How challenging is it to play against England with this massive home support?] It does play a role. But good to see so many fans out here tonight. It adds to the vibe and the energy. Couple of South Africans as well that I saw. That was nice.
[On their campaign] Decent campaign for us. Happy to make it through the group stages. Upon reflection, our batting never fired throughout the competition. We had glimpses here and there. But I think as a whole, we weren't quite clicking. So, yeah that showed again today. Our bowling and fielding was good throughout. So, we will have a look at what we have done wrong and come back better next time.
[Do you think the youngsters have learnt enough lessons in this WC?] I hope so. Yeah, we have got an exciting mix at the moment. We have senior players and some exciting youngsters coming through as well. We will learn from this. The likes of Dercksen, she was good throughout the tournament with the bat. So yeah players like that can be good in the next edition."
Nat Sciver-Brunt (England Women Captain): [on playing at The Oval] "What a special place to play cricket. We really loved playing here over the years. What a great ground to show the crowd how much we enjoy playing for England and trying to inspire as many people as we can.
[on the belief as a unit] We've got full confidence in our batting lineup from top to bottom. So from that point of view there was never any worry about other people coming in but Heather and I knew that we had a really important job to do to get our team back on track. The composure that we showed was really important. We could have tried to go harder earlier. Maybe it didn't work out the way it did. We were really smart and took the game on in a slightly different way to what is a typical T20 innings.
[on thoughts at the halfway stage] I think we had a good score. We could tell there was some variable bounce and keeping the stumps in play was going to be so important. Maybe using some cutters or cross seamers as a seam bowling group and Freya Kemp especially did so well with her off-pace deliveries, mixing it up and made it so difficult for the batters.
[on the bowling powerplay] To get 3 overs from the same bowler was pretty tough in T20s. Tactically, for us to have 4 overs of Sophie in the middle, that has been a huge benefit. Linsey taking the wicket of Wolvaardt in the powerplay was so key. We had the plan to set out right and we stuck to our guns really when she'd hit one over the top the delivery before. Linsey and I looked at each other and thought let's go again.
[on the crowd] The crowd has been so good throughout this tournament. I managed to take it in a little bit, walking out to bat and walking off. It's just infectious playing with this team in front of the home crowd has been so special. I cannot wait to do it again at Lord's.
[on the calf injury and Australia in the finals] Calf's good. What an occasion it will be. Finding out there's a home World Cup, you dream to be in that final and what an opposition to be facing. A really talented side that have had a huge success. We'll see what happens down at Lord's. Hopefully it is coming home."
[on the belief as a unit] We've got full confidence in our batting lineup from top to bottom. So from that point of view there was never any worry about other people coming in but Heather and I knew that we had a really important job to do to get our team back on track. The composure that we showed was really important. We could have tried to go harder earlier. Maybe it didn't work out the way it did. We were really smart and took the game on in a slightly different way to what is a typical T20 innings.
[on thoughts at the halfway stage] I think we had a good score. We could tell there was some variable bounce and keeping the stumps in play was going to be so important. Maybe using some cutters or cross seamers as a seam bowling group and Freya Kemp especially did so well with her off-pace deliveries, mixing it up and made it so difficult for the batters.
[on the bowling powerplay] To get 3 overs from the same bowler was pretty tough in T20s. Tactically, for us to have 4 overs of Sophie in the middle, that has been a huge benefit. Linsey taking the wicket of Wolvaardt in the powerplay was so key. We had the plan to set out right and we stuck to our guns really when she'd hit one over the top the delivery before. Linsey and I looked at each other and thought let's go again.
[on the crowd] The crowd has been so good throughout this tournament. I managed to take it in a little bit, walking out to bat and walking off. It's just infectious playing with this team in front of the home crowd has been so special. I cannot wait to do it again at Lord's.
[on the calf injury and Australia in the finals] Calf's good. What an occasion it will be. Finding out there's a home World Cup, you dream to be in that final and what an opposition to be facing. A really talented side that have had a huge success. We'll see what happens down at Lord's. Hopefully it is coming home."
Most Wickets by Spinners in Women's T20 WCs:
38 – Sophie Ecclestone (England)*
37 – Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
33 – Stafanie Taylor (West Indies)
32 – Afy Fletcher (West Indies)
29 – Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)
38 – Sophie Ecclestone (England)*
37 – Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
33 – Stafanie Taylor (West Indies)
32 – Afy Fletcher (West Indies)
29 – Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)
Trivia: Tonight's victory makes it six consecutive wins for England Women's marking it their longest winning streak in Women's T20 World Cups. They have also won all six WT20Is played at The Oval, London.
The stage is now set for a blockbuster finish to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with the tournament's two unbeaten teams ready to lock horns at the Home of Cricket on Sunday in the Grand Finale. Remember, England Women have never ever lost a home World Cup Final!
The semi-final curse has finally been shattered. England produced a dominant all-round display to outclass South Africa at the Kia Oval and seal their place in the title clash. The atmosphere at Lord's promises to be absolutely electric as arch-rivals England and Australia face off for the biggest prize in women's T20 cricket. This will also be the fourth time in Women's T20 World Cup history that these two cricketing giants meet in the Grand Finale.
That's it from the second semi-final! For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentators Akshay Bhide and Ninaad Dixit, who, along with scorer/analyst Paras Yadav & statistician Aman, brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
The semi-final curse has finally been shattered. England produced a dominant all-round display to outclass South Africa at the Kia Oval and seal their place in the title clash. The atmosphere at Lord's promises to be absolutely electric as arch-rivals England and Australia face off for the biggest prize in women's T20 cricket. This will also be the fourth time in Women's T20 World Cup history that these two cricketing giants meet in the Grand Finale.
That's it from the second semi-final! For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentators Akshay Bhide and Ninaad Dixit, who, along with scorer/analyst Paras Yadav & statistician Aman, brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋