Women’s T20 World Cup: England dispatch South Africa to set up final showdown with Australia
England put their trials and tribulations of the past few years behind them to reach a first major final for four years, beating South Africa by 40 runs to book a meeting with Australia at Lord’s on Sunday.
Lauren Bell (left) and Nat Sciver-Brunt played made important contributions with ball and bat respectivelyCredit: Philip Brown/Getty ImagesEngland put their trials and tribulations of the past few years behind them to reach a first major final for four years, beating South Africa by 40 runs to book a meeting with Australia at Lord’s on Sunday. The first innings was a return to the old ways when England lost three quick wickets and then had to turn to the experience of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight to salvage their hopes from 23 for three to finish with 169. In the past two years, England might have changed the coach, the captain, a handful of backroom staff and the playing style, but it still came down to the two most experienced batters to dig them out of a difficult situation. Knight and Sciver-Brunt put on 133 runs for the fourth wicket, playing with calm and composure at the crease and scoring boundaries at regular enough intervals to put the pressure on South Africa, and, in doing so, ensure they would be in Sunday’s final. “I was very nervous going in, and I suppose quite emotional about it yesterday,” Sciver-Brunt said. “Just the occasion and what we’ve been able to do as a team, so trying to live up to the three games that I missed and have an impact as a leader and as a batter. “I managed to put those thoughts to bed for the warm-up starting and I suppose this is the moment where we switch onto game mode. So I’m just so excited and proud of what I’ve been able to do today. ”Nat Sciver-Brunt (left) and Heather Knight’s partnership helped England set South Africa 170 to winCredit: Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesSouth Africa’s Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail proved too much for England’s top order, with the former bowling the in-form Danni Wyatt-Hodge. Amy Jones had struggled for runs since making a half-century in the opening match against Sri Lanka and had to depart for just two, her fourth single-figure score of the tournament. In the other matches, Wyatt-Hodge was able to kick on and impose herself, but in the semi-final she was bowled by the experienced Kapp and had to depart for just 12, leaving England under pressure at 20 for two. The hosts then found themselves at 23 for three when Alice Capsey elected not to review an lbw that the replay showed would have missed the stumps. In the second innings however, England showed just how far they have come from the day when they dropped five catches against the West Indies in Dubai and failed to reach the knockout stages. In front of the biggest crowd for women’s cricket at the Oval of 21,128, Sophie Ecclestone claimed a catch at mid-on to illustrate the improvements that have been made in the field, as the dangerous Laura Wolvaardt had to depart for just 17 from 15. "That is a massive wicket!" 🤩A fantastic catch from Sophie Ecclestone sees the departure of South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt 💪pic. twitter. com/9uY1FMpwGJ— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket)July 2, 2026Kapp, who has spearheaded South Africa’s batting and bowling, was out for just five, hitting a delivery from Charlie Dean straight into the hands of Sciver-Brunt. That turned the tide in England’s favour. Then Ecclestone claimed her second catch of the evening, running back and taking the ball over her shoulder, to dismiss Sune Luus as South Africa slipped to 91 for four. From that point on, England never looked back and kept the pressure on to ensure that South Africa would be unable to find a way back into the contest. Taking on Australia at Lord’s, however, will be a very different proposition. “When you see a home World Cup in the diary you always imagine yourself in the final and with a chance to lift the trophy,” Sciver-Brunt said. “So that drive has always been there, it’s obviously a great common goal to have as a team to be able to try and reach a final for a home edition of a World Cup. ”There was only one moment in the powerplay where it felt like another semi-final might go in South Africa’s favour, just as the last edition of the 50-over tournament did, and the T20 one before that. But by the end, England were able to fully enjoy themselves in front of a crowd voicing their full support, even racing each other to positions on the boundary rope before the next over. Lauren Bell and Charlie Dean took two wickets apiece, with Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Freya Kemp each taking one in a team effort to ensure that England have a chance to win a first trophy since 2017. Latest updates9:57PMEngland’s Heather Knight speaking to Sky SportsLink copied to clipboard“Nat [Sciver-Brunt] is unbelievable. To miss the last three games and come in under an injury cloud and to play how she did under high pressure, I cannot speak highly enough of how she played. “We have shared lots of partnerships but that might be up there with one of our best. We kept pretty calm and complement each other; she is more leg-side dominant, I am more off-side dominant. ”9:48PMPlayer of the match and England captain Nat Sciver-BruntLink copied to clipboard“I was probably nervous, the occasion gets quite big as well and so that increased the nerves. I missed a few games [with her calf injury] too. There was a lot of emotion pre-game but as soon as the warm-up started, I switched on to game time and enjoyed myself out there. Heather [Knight] and I wanted to nullify the threat and then capitalise on the other bowlers. With our experience, we put our heads together. There was a bit of variable bounce and be clear on where you wanted to score. When you are in for a period of time it does get easier and it was not easy for new batsmen. ”9:40PMEngland win by 40 runsLink copied to clipboardSmith will bowl the final over of the innings. de Klerk manages to squeeze one through the point region and gets a couple. de Klerk sweeps aerially into the legside and it lands safely but gets just one. Ismail then gets off the mark first ball with a single. The final ball is hit away for just a single and England have cruised to victory in the end. They beat South Africa by 40 runs. England advance to Sunday’s final at Lord’s, where they will take on old foes Australia. 9:36PMWicketLink copied to clipboardKhaka b Bell 4A superb penultimate over of the innings from Bell is finished off with a wicket. A full, slower delivery from Bell deceives Khaka and crashes into the stumps. FOW 123/89:33PMWicketLink copied to clipboardJafta run out Wyatt-Hodge 1I think I can say it now that England are heading to the final on Sunday. Jafta thinks about a single to point that is not there and by the time she is sent back, Wyatt-Hodge’s throw cannons into the stumps. FOW 119/79:31PMOVER 18: SA 119/6 (de Klerk 10 Jafta 1)Link copied to clipboardSinalo Jafta joins de Klerk out in the middle and gets off the mark first ball with a single. South Africa need a mere 51 runs from 12 balls. Easy!9:30PMWicketLink copied to clipboardTryon b Ecclestone 12Ecclestone will bowl her final over and gets her first wicket of the night. Tryon swings across the line and misses, with the ball crashing into her stumps. FOW 118/69:27PMOVER 17: SA 113/5 (de Klerk 5 Tryon 12)Link copied to clipboardde Klerk manages to squeeze one through the infield on the offside and comes back for three. Later in the over, Tryon plays a lovely shot over the offside and gets four. With most of the offside fielders up inside the circle, that is the route to go down. Tryon then goes down the ground and should only get one but a poor misfield from Smith means that it goes for four. 9:23PMOVER 16: SA 101/5 (de Klerk 2 Tryon 3)Link copied to clipboardSouth Africa are just unable to get the regular boundaries they need, with England doing a great job of limiting the scoring opportunities. South Africa’s 100 is brought up but the scoring rate is not enough for them. 9:20PMOVER 15: SA 98/5 (de Klerk 1 Tryon 2)Link copied to clipboardChloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk are now at the crease with South Africa’s hopes hanging by a thread. South Africa still need 72 runs from 30 balls. 9:17PMWicketLink copied to clipboardBrits c Sciver-Brunt b Dean 51South Africa’s dreams of making the final are going up in smoke. A little bit like Kapp’s dismissal earlier, Brits chips it straight to Sciver-Brunt at wide mid-off. Brits had reached her fifty the ball before but now has to go. FOW 95/59:13PMWicketLink copied to clipboardLuus c Ecclestone b Bell 11Ecclestone takes her second good catch of the innings as England continue to take wickets. Bell’s bouncr seemingly got onto Luus faster than she thought and the top edge is well caught by Ecclestone as she ran back. FOW 91/49:09PMOVER 13: SA 83/3 (Luus 4 Brits 46)Link copied to clipboardEcclestone is back on and South Africa cannot afford to just sit on England’s premier spinner. South Africa manage just four singles from the over and that is simply not enough. 9:06PMOVER 12: SA 79/3 (Luus 2 Brits 44)Link copied to clipboardDani Gibson is on for the first time tonight. England have managed to stifle South Africa but the shackles are broken as Gibson drops too short and Brits emphatically pulls away to cow corner for four. If South Africa are to chase down this total, Brits is going to be the key. Luus tries to go for a scoop and then a reverse scoop off the same delivery and the ball evades everyone, running away for four byes. 9:02PMOVER 11: SA 69/3 (Luus 1 Brits 39)Link copied to clipboardSune Luus is in at number five and will immediately be under pressure to get going quickly. 9:01PMWicketLink copied to clipboardKapp c Sciver-Brunt b Dean 5This is a massive moment in this game. Kapp attempts to flick Dean into the legside but only succeeds in getting a leading edge, which Sciver-Brunt pouches at wide mid-off. FOW 68/38:58PMOVER 10: SA 63/2 (Kapp 5 Brits 34)Link copied to clipboardKemp is keeping it tight, not offering up any freebies to this South African pair. South Africa are halfway through the chase and still need another 107 runs to win. 8:54PMOVER 9: SA 58/2 (Kapp 3 Brits 31)Link copied to clipboardThis feels like a crucial phase of this game; if England can stifle South Africa and get Kapp quickly, they will pretty much be home and hosed. Brits cuts away through point, getting it through the fielders, but Smith saves a run with a great stop right by the rope. To show how close this game is, England were 58/3 at this stage of their innings. 8:51PMOVER 8: SA 51/2 (Kapp 1 Brits 26)Link copied to clipboardMarizanne Kapp was outstanding with the ball earlier and now is in at number four. A single to get her off the mark brings up South Africa’s 50. 8:49PMWicketLink copied to clipboardDercksen c Knight b Kemp 3Dercksen never looked like she was going to settle and now she is gone. With the left-armer Kemp sending it across her, Dercksen only succeeds in spooning the ball up to Knight, who takes a simple catch at point. FOW 49/28:46PMOVER 7: SA 47/1 (Dercksen 2 Brits 24)Link copied to clipboardThe number-three ranked bowler in T20 cricket Sophie Ecclestone is on at the Pavilion End. Dean nearly takes a stunning one-handed catch as Dercksen tried to go over mid-off but Dean cannot quite keep hold of it. Just four singles come from the over. 8:43PMOVER 6: SA 43/1 (Dercksen 0 Brits 22)Link copied to clipboardAnnerie Dercksen joins Brits in the middle. England have struggled to take wickets in the powerplay this tournament, they have bowled tight but not made the breakthroughs. This time around they got the most important one in Laura Wolvaardt and hopefully that will have given them new-found belief that if they stick to the plan this is not out of reach. 8:39PMWicketLink copied to clipboardWolvaardt c Ecclestone b Smith 17England make their first breakthrough as South Africa’s captain goes. One ball after hitting over mid-on for four, this time Wolvaardt only succeeds in picking out Ecclestone in that position, with Ecclestone taking a good catch above her head. FOW 43/1"That is a massive wicket!" 🤩A fantastic catch from Sophie Ecclestone sees the departure of South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt 💪pic. twitter. com/9uY1FMpwGJ— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket)July 2, 20268:37PMOVER 5: SA 36/0 (Wolvaardt 13 Brits 19)Link copied to clipboardCharlie Dean, who was interim captain whilst Nat Sciver-Brunt was injured, is on. She is welcomed into the attack by a boundary as Wolvaardt uses her feet and smashes Dean back over her head for four. Wolvaardt is keen to advance down the wicket to Dean. 8:34PMOVER 4: SA 28/0 (Wolvaardt 8 Brits 18)Link copied to clipboardThat is one of the shots of the day. Bell bowls a delivery in the slot and Wolvaardt drills it down the ground for four. Sciver-Brunt tried to stop it at mid-off but her dive does not get her particularly close to cutting that one off. South Africa have made a solid start to their chase. 8:30PMOVER 3: SA 21/0 (Wolvaardt 2 Brits 17)Link copied to clipboardBrits gets a bit of width from Smith and cuts away fine for four. Later in the over, Smith offers up more width and Brits drives through cover point for another boundary. 8:27PMOVER 2: SA 11/0 (Wolvaardt 1 Brits 8)Link copied to clipboardLauren Bell will bowl from the Vauxhall End. Brits gets one on her hips and flicks away through mid-wicket for a couple. Bell then sends down back-to-back wides, one for height and the other down the legside. Brits goes down the ground and hits over mid-on’s head for four, South Africa’s first boundary. 8:22PMOVER 1: SA 2/0 (Wolvaardt 1 Brits 1)Link copied to clipboardEngland will start with spin as Linsey Smith will open up from the Pavilion End. Wolvaardt gets South Africa going with a single from the second ball. Brits finally gets off the mark from her fourth ball but it is just a single and Smith concedes just two runs from her first over. 8:18PMSouth Africa’s replyLink copied to clipboardCaptain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits will open for South Africa, who need 170 to make it to Sunday’s final. England’s total feels like it is about par so this could really go either way. 8:05PMEngland finish up on 169/5Link copied to clipboardSouth Africa are four minutes behind, meaning they can only have three fielders outside the circle. Khaka will bowl the final over of the innings. This is good bowling from Khaka, who has not had her best day with the ball today. From the penultimate ball, she probably should get a wicket as Gibson top edges one but Tryon is unable to take the catch. That is poor. The last ball runs away for four byes and England end their innings on 169/5. South Africa will need 170 to advance to Sunday’s final. 8:00PMOVER 19: ENG 160/5 (Kemp 0 Gibson 3)Link copied to clipboardDani Gibson joins Freya Kemp in the middle and gets three runs from her first two balls. 7:58PMWicketLink copied to clipboardKnight c Wolvaardt b Mlaba 58South Africa go bang bang and both set England batsmen are gone. How much will this stunt England’s momentum in these closing stages of their innings? Every run saved by South Africa could be crucial. FOW 157/57:57PMWicketLink copied to clipboardSciver-Brunt c Brits b Mlaba 75Oh how South Africa needed that breakthrough! Sciver-Brunt’s fine innings on her return from injury is ended as she picks out Brits in the deep at mid-wicket. That was a superb innings, when you also factor in the situation England were in earlier. FOW 154/47:55PMOVER 18: ENG 154/3 (Sciver-Brunt 73 Knight 58)Link copied to clipboardde Klerk is too full and straight, allowing Sciver-Brunt to sweep over square leg for four. Sciver-Brunt is in full flow now, sweeping over deep mid-wicket’s head for six. England were in real trouble early doors but South Africa are now the ones under the pump. Other than Kapp and Ismail, South Africa’s bowlers have been pretty poor. That six has brought about a change of ball but not a change of fortunes for South Africa as Sciver-Brunt pulls a slower ball to cow corner for four to bring up England’s 150. 7:49PMOVER 17: ENG 138/3 (Sciver-Brunt 58 Knight 57)Link copied to clipboardSciver-Brunt pulls very hard in front of square and she must think she is going to get four but an outstanding stop on the rope by Brits keeps it down to two. A few balls later, Knight picks up a low full toss and sweeps over Brits’ head at deep mid-wicket for six to bring up her fifty. She then makes it back-to-back boundaries with a lovely lofted cover drive for four. This is outstanding batting from this England pair. 7:46PMOVER 16: ENG 123/3 (Sciver-Brunt 55 Knight 45)Link copied to clipboardIsmail, having bowled three up front, is on for her final over. Knight scoops into the air back over Ismail’s head but it lands safely. Later in the over, Knight is much more convincing down the ground, blasting the ball back over Ismail’s head for four. Knight’s innings is then nearly ended but her shot towards deep mid-wicket falls just short of de Klerk in the deep. That single though does bring up the 100 partnership. Ismail is now bowled out. 7:41PMOVER 15: ENG 116/3 (Sciver-Brunt 54 Knight 39)Link copied to clipboardThat is a better over from Mlaba, conceding just three runs from the over. South Africa needed that to halt some of England’s momentum. 7:37PMOVER 14: ENG 113/3 (Sciver-Brunt 53 Knight 37)Link copied to clipboardThat is a gift for Sciver-Brunt. de Klerk bowls a low full toss on the pads and Sciver-Brunt flicks away for four. Simply brilliant from Sciver-Brunt. She goes for the scoop and gets it on the full. Four more for Sciver-Brunt and England. Sciver-Brunt brings up her fifty with a lovely flick through wide mid-on for four. England badly needed a great innings from their returning captain, especially after their terrible start. Nat Sciver-Brunt has shown why (if fit) you just cannot leave her out of this side. She is the best batter and has all the experience. She has led from the front and played a captains innings just when England needed her most. An outstanding innings from Nat Sciver-BruntCredit: Gareth Fuller/PA7:33PMOVER 13: ENG 100/3 (Sciver-Brunt 41 Knight 36)Link copied to clipboardGood running brings Knight two into the legside. A few balls later, Knight uses her feet and goes over the top on the offside, with only long off back on the offside. despite de Klerk’s best efforts on the rope, she cannot prevent the boundary. More good running between this pair brings Knight another two through wide mid-on. A single from the final ball of the 13th over brings up England’s 100. 7:29PMOVER 12: ENG 91/3 (Sciver-Brunt 41 Knight 27)Link copied to clipboardKhaka is brought back on and welcomed back into the attack with a boundary. It is great ingenuity from Sciver-Brunt, who scoops fine for four with fine leg up inside the circle. It took a bit of time for Sciver-Brunt to find her groove upon her return from injury but she is now motoring. Knight then takes advantage of third man being up inside the circle as she cuts away late through backward point for four. 7:26PMOVER 11: ENG 79/3 (Sciver-Brunt 34 Knight 22)Link copied to clipboardChloe Tryon comes on at the Pavilion End. Sciver-Brunt comes across her stumps and sweeps fine for four. She had to hit that or else she was in big trouble. Sciver-Brunt follows that up with another four in the same place in the same style. That boundary brings up the fifty partnership and England needed it. Two bad balls on the trot from Tryon. Nat Sciver-Brunt finding her rhythmCredit: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images7:22PMOVER 10: ENG 68/3 (Sciver-Brunt 24 Knight 21)Link copied to clipboardKhaka sent down just one over before being replaced as Nadine de Klerk is brought on at the Vauxhall End. de Klerk drops too short and Sciver-Brunt pulls right in between two fielders out in the deep on the legside for four. Sciver-Brunt then gets a couple through wide mid-on, which will have tested her calf. 7:18PMOVER 9: ENG 58/3 (Sciver-Brunt 16 Knight 19)Link copied to clipboardIt is changes at both ends as the left-arm off spin of Nonkululeko Mlaba is on at the Pavilion End. Immediately she thinks she has a wicket as she strikes Sciver-Brunt on the pads but the South African appeals are turned down. Was there bat as Sciver-Brunt went for the reverse sweep? South Africa and now lose their second and final review as there was bat on that one. South Africa have now burned both of their reviews on Sciver-Brunt. Mlaba was convinced there was no bat but there was a significant deviation. Considering how dreadful a start England got off to, this has been a calming partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Knight, who sweeps hard for four. England starting to gain some momentumCredit: Steven Paston/PA7:13PMOVER 8: ENG 50/3 (Sciver-Brunt 14 Knight 13)Link copied to clipboardThe first bowling change comes from the Vauxhall End as Ayabonga Khaka replaces Ismail. That is a lovely shot from Knight, who waits on one from Khaka and late cuts for four. The timing of it was so good that third man was unable to cut it off. Khaka is currently bowling too wide, eliminating numerous modes of dismissal and making it too easy for this England pair to score. A couple through point brings up England’s 50 but there is plenty of work to do. 7:09PMOVER 7: ENG 42/3 (Sciver-Brunt 13 Knight 6)Link copied to clipboardSo, South Africa have taken the decision to bowl Kapp straight through her four overs. Another wicket here would be so damaging for England but should South Africa have left one Kapp over for the end?Sciver-Brunt nearly finds mid-wicket but her clip into the legside lands safely. Later in the over, Sciver-Brunt plays a much more convincing shot through mid-wicket, clipping off her pads for four. Kapp is now bowled out, with figures of 1/16 from her four overs. 7:03PMOVER 6: ENG 35/3 (Sciver-Brunt 8 Knight 4)Link copied to clipboardSciver-Brunt comes across her stumps and tries to flick into the legside but misses and the ball thumps into the pads. It never looked out but South Africa think of burning their second and final review. Sensibly, they opt against the review as it was far too high. This is tough for England at the moment with South Africa all over them in these early stages. Other than Ismail’s first over, which did contain some loose deliveries, South Africa have barely offered up any freebies. This powerplay has well and truly gone in favour of South Africa. This is a crucial partnership for England, but they will want to look at the flurry of wickets that got themselves in this situation in the first place. Yet again under pressure, it comes down to the most experienced batters in the side. 6:59PMOVER 5: ENG 33/3 (Sciver-Brunt 7 Knight 3)Link copied to clipboardKapp, unsurprisingly, is going to bowl her third over on the trot, which makes complete sense considering how well she is bowling and feeling good about taking another England wicket. This pair, using all their nous and experience, know they have to rebuild and can afford to see out Kapp, rather than taking any more unnecessary risks. 6:55PMOVER 4: ENG 28/3 (Sciver-Brunt 6 Knight 1)Link copied to clipboardEngland’s two most experienced cricketers are now at the crease with their side in a crisis as Heather Knight is in. UltraEdge has just shown that Capsey got an inside edge on her dismissal and should have reviewed, not that anyone thought there was an inside edge. When things are not going your way, they really are not going your way!Sciver-Brunt looks to break the shackles and gets one away through the covers for four. This pair need to calm the England nerves and quickly. 6:51PMWicketLink copied to clipboardCapsey LBW Ismail 1England are in real trouble very early on. One ball after South Africa spurned a terrible review on Sciver-Brunt for a potential LBW, Ismail then traps Capsey right in front. Capsey is trapped on the crease and that is as plumb as you will get. Capsey does seek Sciver-Brunt’s advice but sensibly does not review as that was very out. FOW 23/36:48PMOVER 3: ENG 22/2 (Sciver-Brunt 2 Capsey 1)Link copied to clipboardAlice Capsey is in at number four. How will England react to losing two early wickets, in particular the one of the in-form Wyatt-Hodge? After facing two dot balls to start, Capsey then comes down the ground and takes a single into the legside to get off the mark. There is now a huge amount of pressure on the returning Sciver-Brunt. Just two runs and a wicket from Kapp’s second over. 6:45PMWicketLink copied to clipboardWyatt-Hodge b Kapp 12That will be a huge moment in this England innings. Kapp gets the very dangerous and in-form Wyatt-Hodge, who looked tentative coming forward to that one and misses. Kapp says “You miss, I hit!”. I cannot stress just how vital a wicket that is and Kapp delivers for South Africa once more. FOW 20/2Not what England wanted one bitCredit: Justin Tallis/Getty Images6:43PMOVER 2: ENG 20/1 (Sciver-Brunt 1 Wyatt-Hodge 12)Link copied to clipboardEngland’s captain Nat Sciver-Brunt strides to the crease upon her return from injury and receives a great ovation. She is immediately off the mark with a single up to mid-off, which will have tested her calf. That is a lovely shot from Wyatt-Hodge; she identifies that third man is up inside the circle and late cuts for four. Ismail then gets her line all wrong and sends an errant ball down the legside for five wides. Wyatt-Hodge gets a slice of fortune there; a cut comes off the bottom edge but bounces into the ground and goes over Jafta’s head, running away for four. It is an expensive over from Ismail but she did get the wicket of Jones. Nat Sciver-Brunt showed no signs of injury there, setting off for a quick sprint single to get off the mark. Amy Jones will be disappointed with that, it was her fourth single figure score of the tournament after she scored 50 in the opener against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. 6:37PMWicketLink copied to clipboardJones c Dercksen b Ismail 2From the Vauxhall End it will be Shabnim Ismail to start and she takes a wicket with her very first ball. It is a gift for South Africa and really poor from Jones. It is a long hop from Ismail miles outside off stump and Jones smacks it straight at Dercksen at point. FOW 3/16:35PMOVER 1: ENG 3/0 (Jones 2 Wyatt-Hodge 1)Link copied to clipboardMarizanne Kamp will bowl the first over of this semi-final from the Pavilion End. The first run of the game comes off the inside edge of Jones’ bat and she comes through for a single. Wyatt-Hodge then flirts with her first ball outside off stump but misses. After another woft outside off stump, Wyatt-Hodge then gets off the mark with a single through the offside. Just three singles from the first over. 6:29PMReady to goLink copied to clipboardAmy Jones and Danni Wyatt-Hodge stride out to the middle for England. Wyatt-Hodge in particular has been in fine form during this tournament and will be wanting to deliver in a high-pressure situation like a semi-final. 6:24PMAnthem timeLink copied to clipboardIn the glorious London sunshine, both sides make their way onto the outfield for the national anthems. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrikafollowed byGod Save The King. National anthems in the sunshineCredit: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images6:22PMNasser Hussain on Sky SportsLink copied to clipboard“I think it is a bit harsh on Sophia Dunkley, but when you have the class of Nat Sciver-Brunt, and she is fit, then she has got to play. No other changes, which is a reflection of how strong and how well this side have been playing; unbeaten and unbeaten on this ground. “This is the challenge for them and what they will be judged by, but this is a top side. Two all-rounders in great nick and that bowling line-up is superb. That batting line-up will only be strengthened by having Sciver-Brunt back. ”6:20PMTash Farrant on Sky SportsLink copied to clipboard“I feel this is petty much 50/50. England probably have more momentum, although they have not been put under a huge amount of pressure yet. South Africa have been there and done it in the last couple of big semi-finals. It is going to be a belter between two heavyweights. “I think it is a chasing ground here but I think it would be a tricky decision at the toss, because it is a used wicket. In a semi-final, a pressure game, sometimes getting runs on the board and just calming the nerves is no bad thing. I can understand why they wanted to chase, but I do not think it [batting first] is the worst thing in the world for England. ”6:17PMUnder pressure to deliver?Link copied to clipboardIt was expected after she said she was fit, but Nat Sciver-Brunt will be under some pressure to deliver after returning to the side. While she rehabbed a calf injury, Sophia Dunkley scored a lot of runs at number three but has been replaced by the returning captain. 6:13PMThe two teamsLink copied to clipboardEngland: Amy Jones (wicketkeeper), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell. South Africa:Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (wicetkeeper), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba. 6:12PMEngland captain Nat Sciver-BruntLink copied to clipboard“I was going to have a bowl as well but I was not too worried about it to be honest. Really excited to get out there. Danni Wyatt-Hodge has been on a brilliant roll since the beginning of the tournament and everyone has shown their skills since the beginning. Everyone is feeling really confident in what they have done. We are in a good spot and hopefully we can perform out there. ”Sciver-Brunt has confirmed that England’s only change is her coming up for Sophia Dunkley. 6:08PMSouth Africa captain Laura WolvaardtLink copied to clipboard“I think it is quite a hard ground to defend later so hopefully we can chase. We still have room for improvement but I think that is exciting. We have found ourselves in the semis without having the perfect game yet. We can look back on memories of beating England before but they are a quality side on home turf and will take some beating. ”6:03PMSouth Africa win the toss and field firstLink copied to clipboardLaura Wolvaardt calls correctly and decides to bowl first so Nat Sciver-Brunt and her side will have a bat. Sciver-Brunt admits that she probably would have bowled first as well but not too fussed about losing the toss. 6:00PMToss incomingLink copied to clipboardThe coin is about to go up at The Oval. Bat or bowl first?5:56PMLynne Thomas: The first cricketer to score a World Cup centuryLink copied to clipboardShe might not be a household name, but Lynne Thomas will always hold a coveted place in cricketing history as the scorer of the first World Cup century. Long before T20 cricket had expanded globally with World Cups every year, when international cricket meant Tests alone, a group of female trailblazers played in thesport’s first World Cupin England in 1973. It was a defining moment and England became the sport’s first world champions. “Although we didn’t realise it at the time, it definitely changed the perception of women’s cricket in this country,” Thomas says. “We got quite a bit more publicity, especially as we won the cup. ”5:53PMEngland head coach Charlotte Edwards speaking to the BBC ahead of this semi-finalLink copied to clipboard“It is a confident group. They are feeling we can win from anywhere, but equally different people are always putting their hands up within the group and putting in those match-winning performances, which we have always asked for. We are quietly confident and looking forward to a big next week. “The goal was to win the group. To go through unbeaten is really pleasing. Our batting has been particularly powerful and a real positive for us. I thought we bowled really well tonight on a good pitch. You saw how good that pitch was. We seem to be getting better with each game which is really good going into the business end of the tournament. ”5:49PMEngland’s group resultsLink copied to clipboardJune 12- beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs (Edgbaston)June 16- beat Ireland by four wickets (Southampton)June 20- beat Scotland by 38 runs (Headingley)June 24- beat West Indies by 38 runs (Lord’s)June 27- beat New Zealand by nine wickets (The Oval)A clean sweep for Charlotte Edwards’ side, winning all five group games. They probably had the easier of the two groups but have warmed up for this semi-final with two tricky games against West Indies and New Zealand at the end of the group stages. 5:42PMA place in the final at stakeLink copied to clipboardHosts England look to book their place in the Women’s T20 World Cup final as they take on South Africa in the semi-finals at The Oval. England won all five of their group games, which led them to top spot in Group Two. Despite reaching five of the past six World Cup semi-finals across formats, they have not won a global title since the 2017 50-over World Cup. England have never lost any of their 11 matches at The Oval. England are boosted by the return of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who suffered a recurrence of a calf injury in their second group-stage game against Ireland and has missed every game since. “I have been put through my recovery paces,” Sciver-Brunt said. “I worked really hard to get myself to this position. The sports science and medicine team have too. Really, really happy to be sat here. We have tested it enough to be comfortable. What will happen out on the pitch will happen. I am really happy with where I am at physically. ”Nat Sciver-Brunt’s return is a huge boost for EnglandCredit: Cat Goryn/ReutersSouth Africa have beaten England in the last semi-final meetings between the nations; at the 2023 T20 World Cup and last year’s 50-over World Cup. “I think the group of players that we have here are quite different to times before,” Sciver-Brunt added. “I suppose there are people that have played in all of those games; they are a world-class team and have made it to lots of the finals in previous World Cups. They are a team that are extremely competitive and one that we have had a great battle between in the last few years. We are certainly prepared for the test against South Africa. ”South Africa finished second in Group One behind Australia, winning four of their five games, with their only defeat coming to Australia in their opening game. The winner will take on Australia in the final at Lord’s on Sunday. Play gets under way at 6. 30pm.