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England reached the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time in eight years after a stunning 40-run victory over South Africa at The Oval.
Captain Nat Syver-Brant returned from injury to top score with 75 off just 47 deliveries and put on a 133-run fourth-wicket stand with Heather Knight (58) as England raced from 23-3 to 169-5 after losing the toss.
South Africa saw wickets fall regularly after Linsey Smith’s brilliant catch by Sophie Ecclestone, England’s economical bowling and strong fielding in the middle overs put the hosts on top.
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Nat Syver-Brant scored 75 for England in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
South Africa’s hopes ended when Tazmin Britts departed shortly after completing her half-century as Lauren Bell (2-28) and Charlie Dean (3-31) helped restrict the Proteas to 129-8.
The hosts will now face six-time World Twenty20 champions Australia at Lord’s in Sunday’s final, with England looking to lift the trophy for the first time since claiming the inaugural edition – on home soil in 2009.
How England made it to the T20 World Cup final
England suffered an early blow after Amy Jones (2) picked up Anri Derksen off Shabneem Ismail’s opening delivery, before Danny Watt-Hodge saw his off-stump fly when he was bowled by Cap at the start of the next over.
South Africa lose a review after trapping Ismail Syver-Brant – back from injury – on the pads, DRS showing the ball sliding on the leg, claiming a wicket when Alice Kapsey (1) was dismissed lbw despite making little contact with the bat.
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England’s Amy Jones and Danny Watt-Hodge get South Africa first wicket in Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final
England limped to 35-3 at the end of the powerplay but saw out Cap’s remaining four-over spell safely in front of a record crowd of more than 21,000, before Skiver-Brant Nonkululeko survived a failed lbw review off Mlabar to put the hosts ahead.
Syver-Brant hit three boundaries in the same Nadine de Klerk over to bring up a 35-ball half-century, while Knight brought it up – off 42 balls – by firing Ayabonga Khaka over midwicket for six, the pair’s highest ever stand in a Women’s T20 World Cup match.
Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt helped England recover from 23-3
Mlaba removed both in the last over, leaving Woolward with a simple catch at short cover before Sciver-Brant dismissed the Brits deep in, as England set South Africa 170 to reach their third T20 World Cup final.
South Africa made a positive start to their chase until Olvard (17) failed to beat a leaping Ecclestone at mid-on, soon after Derksen (3) edged Freya Kemp to Knight to swing the momentum back England’s way.
After more wickets fell in the powerplay the boundaries dried up for South Africa, Cap (5) found Syver-Brant at off cover off Dean and Ecclestone found another magical catch off Bell to remove Suni Luwes (11).
The Brits brought up a 44-ball half-century but fell off the next ball, advancing to Dean but slicing Cyver-Brant to leave South Africa at 91-5, with Chloe Tryon (12) bowled by Ecclestone closing England’s way to victory.
Any faint South African hopes were dashed when Sinaloa Jafta (one) was run out by a direct hit in the same over as Bale Xhaka (four) was bowled, as England ended their poor record in the semi-finals to reach their fifth Women’s T20 World Cup final.
Cyver-Brant praised South Africa for being ‘outplayed’
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England’s Nat Syver-Brant reacts after beating South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final
England captain Nat Syver-Brant, speaking in the post-match presentation:
“The occasion also becomes quite big and so increases the nerves. I missed a few games (also with my calf injury). There were a lot of emotions before the game but as soon as the warm-up started, I turned on the playing time and enjoyed myself there.
Lauren Bell (left) and Nat Syver-Brant (right) celebrate reaching the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England
“Marijan Kapp and Shabnim Ismail are world-class opening bowlers who can do some damage. So Heather (Knight) and I wanted to nullify the threat and make sure we were able to capitalize on the other bowlers. We used our experience, put our heads together and got the job done.”
South Africa captain Laura Wolverde:
“I think we were beaten by a very good England team today. The main difference between their innings and ours was that they had more of a partnership. None of our batsmen really got going.
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England’s Heather Knight reacts after beating South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final.
“We were happy with 170, which we felt was par. They bowled well, had a good plan and we just couldn’t get going. It’s disappointing to lose like that on a big stage and we’ll go back to the drawing board – but the fans add vibrance and energy.”
What next?
England take on Australia in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Lord’s on Sunday with live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix from 2.30pm.
Everyone can live stream the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final for free – and without a subscription – on the Sky Sports app. All you need to do is download the latest version of the Sky Sports app on your phone or tablet and log in.
Download the Sky Sports app here: iPhone and iPad or Android. Watch every ball of the Women’s T20 World Cup live exclusively on Sky Sports and now.
