World T20: Alex Hartley says England have ‘best year’

England thrashed Sri Lanka by 89 runs on the opening night of the tournament to 219-1 before a four-wicket victory over Ireland, where captain Nat Syver-Brant injured his calf.

Since then England have eliminated Scotland, West Indies and New Zealand to build momentum ahead of the semi-finals.

Opener Danny Watt-Hodge is the tournament’s leading run-scorer and Charlie Dean stands in for Syver-Brant.

Coach Charlotte Edwards, who was brought in after the Ashes clean sweep earlier last summer, seems to have brought a quiet steel to the dressing room.

“I was very impressed by them,” Hartley said. “They’re the best (England) team I’ve seen in years.

“They seem to have everything covered. I think they have one of the best bowling attacks in the world and with the bat, Danny Watt-Hodge is in the form of his life.”

South Africa finished second in Group 1 behind Australia, who beat the West Indies on Tuesday to book their place in Sunday’s final at Lord’s.

The Proteas have beaten England in the teams’ past two semi-final meetings – in the 2023 T20 World Cup and last year’s 50-over World Cup – but have been uncomfortable for much of the group stage.