England Women bury South Africa ghosts, set up blockbuster final vs Australia

England Women finally exorcised the demons of their recent past with a commanding 40-run victory over South Africa in the second semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup at the Kennington Oval on Thursday, booking a mouth-watering title clash against Australia at Lord's on July 5.

Having suffered heartbreaking defeats to the Proteas in the semi-finals of the 2023 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ODI World Cup, England entered the contest carrying the weight of those painful memories. Under skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, however, the hosts produced a clinical all-round display to end South Africa's campaign and keep alive their dream of lifting the trophy on home soil.

England vs South Africa, Women's T20 World Cup semifinal: Updates | Scorecard

The victory also sets up the perfect finale between the tournament's two unbeaten teams. Australia stormed into the summit clash after brushing aside West Indies in the first semi-final, while England responded with an equally dominant performance to ensure cricket fans are in for one of the biggest rivalries in women's cricket on the grand stage at Lord's.

SOUTH AFRICA MAKE SPLENDID START

The evening began in disastrous fashion for England after South Africa opted to bowl first under overcast conditions. Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail made full use of the movement on offer, tearing through the top order and reducing the hosts to 22/3 inside the Powerplay.

Ismail created history when she dismissed Amy Jones to become the first bowler to claim 50 wickets in Women's T20 World Cup history. Kapp then bowled tournament top-scorer Danni Wyatt-Hodge for 12 before Ismail trapped Alice Capsey lbw, leaving England reeling at 35/3 after six overs.

With South Africa firmly in control, England desperately needed someone to steady the innings, and their experienced campaigners answered the call in spectacular fashion.

SCIVER-BRUNT MAKES STRONG COMEBACK

Returning after recovering from injury, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt produced an innings worthy of the occasion. Alongside former skipper Heather Knight, she first absorbed the early pressure before launching a remarkable counterattack that completely shifted the momentum.

The pair stitched together a record-breaking 133-run partnership for the fourth wicket, the highest stand for any wicket in a Women's T20 World Cup semi-final. Sciver-Brunt was magnificent, smashing 75 off 47 balls with 11 fours and a six while registering her eighth Women's T20 World Cup fifty to equal the tournament record.

Knight played the perfect supporting role, making a composed 58 from 47 deliveries with six boundaries and a six. The duo rotated the strike smartly, punished loose deliveries and denied South Africa any breakthrough during the middle overs.

ENGLAND MAKE SUPERB RECOVERY

Although Nonkululeko Mlaba struck twice in the penultimate over to dismiss both well-set batters and finish with figures of 2/25, the damage had already been done.

Dani Gibson added valuable late runs before four byes off the final delivery lifted England to a formidable 169/7. Considering the position they were in after the Powerplay, the hosts had staged one of the finest recoveries in Women's T20 World Cup knockout history.

For South Africa, Kapp was exceptional with the new ball, returning figures of 1/16 from four economical overs, while Ismail finished with 2/31 after an outstanding opening spell.

ENGLAND BOWLERS TIGHTEN THE SCREWS

Chasing 170, South Africa made a confident start through openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, who added 43 runs for the opening wicket and briefly kept the required rate under control. However, England's bowlers never allowed the innings to gather sustained momentum.

Linsey Smith provided the breakthrough by dismissing Wolvaardt for 17, with Sophie Ecclestone taking a superb overhead catch. From there, England's attack tightened its grip on the contest.

Charlie Dean removed both Marizanne Kapp and the dangerous Brits, whose fighting 51 proved to be South Africa's only significant contribution with the bat. Freya Kemp mixed her pace cleverly to dismiss Annerie Dercksen, Lauren Bell removed Sune Luus before producing a brilliant slower yorker to clean up Ayabonga Khaka, while Ecclestone capped off another economical spell with the wicket of Chloe Tryon.

England were equally sharp in the field, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge producing a direct-hit run-out to dismiss Sinalo Jafta as South Africa slipped further behind the asking rate.

Only Brits crossed the 50-run mark as the Proteas were restricted to 130, handing England a comprehensive victory. Sciver-Brunt's side now heads to Lord's brimming with confidence for a blockbuster final against defending champions Australia, with the title set to be decided between the tournament's two unbeaten teams.