T20 World Cup: England beat South Africa comfortably to enter the final.

T20 World Cup, Oval

England 169-5 (20 overs) Sciver-Brunt 75 (47), Knight 58 (47)

South Africa 129-8 (20 overs): Brits 51 (45); Bell 2-28

England won by 40 runs.

Score card

England beat South Africa by an impressive 40 runs at The Oval in Sunday’s T20 World Cup final against Australia.

On a brilliant night in front of a cheering and expectant crowd, England overcame their recent struggles under pressure in a major improvement to date under coach Charlotte Edwards.

They were teetering early in the fourth innings, trailing 23-3, but captain Nat Sciver-Brunt hit a clean 75 off 47 after returning from a calf injury that threatened to put her out of contention.

A partnership of 133 off 90 balls with England spinner Heather Knight took England to 169-5. Knight, as impressive as Sciver-Brunt, made 58 of 47.

And while those two provided almost all the runs, England’s performance on the field was an all-round effort.

Their fielding — a long-glaring weakness — was impressive.

Sophie Eccleston took a leaping try to see off Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt and break the opening stand of 43, before taking a second hard chance and dismissing Sune Loews. Danny White-Hodge finished off Sinaloa Jafta with a free kick.

Lauren Bell and Charlie Deane took two wickets each while Ecclestone, Lynsey Smith and Freya Kemp took one each to end South Africa’s hopes.

Their wait to win the World Cup continues but England have a genuine shot at their first trophy since 2017, despite finishing second at Lord’s against their biggest rivals.