England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt made a remarkable comeback from injury to steer her team into the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup with a convincing 40-run win over South Africa in the semi-final at The Oval on Thursday.The win sets up a huge title clash against unbeaten Australia at a sold-out Lord’s on Sunday, marking the first Women’s T20 World Cup final since 2010 to feature two unbeaten sides.England made 169/5 before restricting South Africa to 129/8 in front of a record Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final crowd of 21,128.
Sciver-Brunt and Knight filmed the rescue
Returning after missing England’s last three group stage games with a calf injury, Sciver-Brunt walked to the crease off just seven balls in the innings. England soon started to lose at 23/3 after a fiery opening spell Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp.The England captain combined with former captain Heather Knight to form one of the greatest partnerships in Women’s T20 World Cup history, adding 133 runs for the fourth wicket — the highest ever in a World Cup knockout match.Sciver-Brunt led the charge with a brilliant 75 off 47 balls, with 50 of her runs coming in boundaries, while Knight anchored the innings with a moderate 58 off 47 deliveries. Their tally eclipsed England’s previous World Cup knock-out record of 122 against Australia in the 2009 semi-final.I was nervous, Sciver-Brunt admitted after the match. “The opportunity is getting pretty big so that adds to the nerves and I missed a few games. But as soon as the warm-up started I was able to get back in time to play and just enjoy myself out there. Heather and I, with our experience, put our heads together and got the job done.”The innings also saw Sciver-Brunt equal the record for the most half-centuries in Women’s T20 World Cup history with eight, leveling with New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and Australia’s Beth Mooney.
South Africa struggled as England dealt with Australia
South Africa’s decision to bowl first initially paid off as Ismail and Kapp tore through England’s top order. Ismail also became the first woman to reach 50 wickets in the history of Women’s T20 World Cup.However, after the new pair finished their spells, England took complete control through the experienced Sciver-Brunt-Knight partnership.Chasing 170, South Africa never recovered after losing captain Laura Wolvaardt, Annerie Dercksen and Kappa cheaply. By the 11th over, the required run rate had climbed over 11 overs, leaving last year’s finalists with an almost impossible task.Opener Tazmin Brits battled back with a 45-ball 51 but had no support as South Africa eventually finished on 129/8.
England are eyeing their first title since 2009
England’s disciplined bowling effort included contributions from across the attack, with Freya Kemp returning outstanding figures of 1/11, while all-rounder Sophie Ecclestone claimed 1/21 and added two catches.After going unbeaten during the tournament, England now head into Sunday’s final brimming with confidence as they prepare to take on world No.1 Australia at Lord’s. The clash promises to be a fitting final between two of the competition’s best sides, with England aiming to dethrone the defending champions and claim their first Women’s T20 World Cup title since 2009.
