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By Vikram Iyer — 25 June 2026 — 4 min read

England secure semi-final berth

England have advanced to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup after a 38-run victory against West Indies at Lord’s. The win ensures their progression with one group game remaining in the tournament. The match took place on Wednesday evening amidst warm conditions in London.

The England side posted a total of 186-7 in their 20 overs. This score was the highest recorded in women’s T20 matches at Lord’s. Danni Wyatt-Hodge was a key contributor, scoring 65 runs from 42 balls, while Heather Knight added 43 runs from 26 balls.

Despite the strong batting performance, England’s innings saw some tense moments. Knight was involved in the run-outs of both Wyatt-Hodge and herself. Additionally, the contributions from Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson were not as impactful in this match.

Match highlights and key performances

Charlie Dean, who is standing in as captain for Nat Sciver-Brunt, demonstrated composure under pressure. She executed two reverse-sweeps for boundaries in the final over of England’s innings and later took two wickets during the West Indies’ chase. Dean is set to continue as captain for England’s upcoming group-stage fixture against New Zealand on Saturday.

Nat Sciver-Brunt is currently recovering from a calf injury. An MRI scan on Wednesday indicated that her calf is responding well to treatment, and the medical team hopes she will be fit for next week’s semi-final matches. She will not be risked in the match against New Zealand.

Wyatt-Hodge’s performance not only contributed significantly to England’s win but also saw her become the leading run-scorer in the tournament, surpassing Scotland’s Darcey Carter. She expressed her ambition to win the T20 World Cup, a trophy she has not yet secured, and aims to continue scoring runs and contributing to the team’s success.

The West Indies’ chase saw their captain, Hayley Matthews, dismissed in a controversial manner. She was given out caught behind by the TV umpire, Nimali Perera, despite Perera noting a potential gap between bat and ball. Matthews voiced her disagreement with the decision, stating she believed she was far from the ball, but ultimately respected the umpire’s reliance on technology that showed a spike.

Deandra Dottin hit a six over long-on before being caught by Alice Capsey while attempting a similar shot. Sophie Ecclestone bowled Shemaine Campbelle, who missed a sweep shot. Jahzara Claxton scored 21 runs from 34 balls before being caught by Linsey Smith at point in the penultimate over.

Despite the comfortable victory margin, England had some moments of frustration in the field, dropping six chances during the West Indies’ innings. Five of these were described as difficult opportunities. Chinelle Henry was dropped in the deep when she was on 28 runs and went on to score an eleventh-hour half-century, including two sixes off Smith in the 20th over.

Amy Jones’s form as an opener has been a point of concern, as she fell for the second consecutive match in the first over, slicing a catch to short third. However, England’s fielding earlier in the innings was strong, with Gibson making an acrobatic stop and Capsey taking a catch to dismiss Dottin.

The match was played in challenging conditions, with temperatures in St John’s Wood, London, reaching 35 degrees, making it hotter than St John’s, Antigua. This heat led to approximately 3,000 ticket holders not attending the match, though a crowd of 14,000 was still present.

England has now achieved a six-match winning streak. Their progression to the semi-finals marks their fifth appearance in either a semi-final or final in the last six World Cups. The team’s momentum is building, suggesting a significant opportunity in the tournament.

The identity of England’s semi-final opponent is yet to be confirmed, as is whether they will play in Tuesday’s first semi-final or Thursday’s second. South Africa or India currently appear to be the most probable opponents. The West Indies still have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals, needing a win against Ireland on Saturday to secure their spot.

A crucial match for determining semi-finalists on the other side of the draw will be Sunday’s clash between Australia and India. Australia currently leads their group, while India and South Africa are contending for the final semi-final position.

Source: bbc.com