Nat Sciver-Brunt was crucial as England defeated South Africa by 40 runs in the semi-final at The Oval to face Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup final.

Sciver-Brunt assisted England in overcoming a shaky start and scoring 169/5. Despite a spirited fifty from Tazmin Brits, South Africa could only muster 129/8 in their 20 overs.

The Lord’s Cricket Ground will host the final on Sunday between the competition’s two undefeated teams, England and Australia. England will be looking to maintain their perfect record at home as well. They have never hosted a World Cup for women, T20 or ODI, and lost.

Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp got South Africa off to a strong start after deciding to field first. Ismail dealt the first strike by taking Amy Jones’ wicket, while Kapp bowled Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

Ismail came back and caught Alice Capsey leg before the wicket to bring England’s score down to 23/3 in 3. 2 overs. Ismail became the first bowler in the process to reach the milestone of 50 wickets at the event, according to ICC.

Kapp was dismissed early by South Africa in their search for another significant wicket, and the pacer completed her four overs with amazing statistics of 1/16.

Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight led England’s comeback with a 133-run stand for the third wicket after early blows, making it the highest partnership in knockouts in the tournament.

Sciver-Brunt was outstanding with her footwork and ran hard between the wickets, smashing 11 boundaries and a six on her way to her eighth half-century in the Women’s T20 World Cup. This placed her alongside Suzie Bates (New Zealand) and Beth Mooney (Australia), two of the sport’s greatest players.

Knight maintained the runs moving at the opposite end as well. She hit a six over deep mid-wicket to score her fifty. When it seemed like England was going to change gears, Nonkululeko Mlaba delivered crucial blows in the 19th over. She had England’s captain caught in the deep as she attempted to sweep, ending their collaboration. Knight lifted the ball straight to Laura Wolvaardt at extra-cover two balls later.

Despite not reaching their peak speed at the end, England ended with a difficult 169/5.

Wolvaardt and Brits collaborated for 43 runs as South Africa had a cautious start to their reply. Sophie Ecclestone caught Linsey Smith’s high catch at mid-on, stopping Wolvaardt from continuing his innings.

Freya Kemp later quickly dismissed Annerie Dercksen for 3. The loss of Kapp, who tried to flick the ball into the leg side after scoring only five runs but got a leading edge, leaving Sciver-Brunt with the easiest of catches, was a crushing blow. The South Africans were 68-3 in 10. 4 overs as a result.

Despite South Africa losing wickets frequently, Brits fought alone, reaching 50. However, she was dismissed on the very next ball when Sciver-Brunt took a leading edge off Charlie Dean. England won after the South African challenge crumbled as the Brits left.

Dean and Lauren Bell were the most effective bowlers, taking two wickets apiece. In addition, Freya Kemp, Smith, and Eccelestone each contributed with a wicket.

The outcome further helped England get revenge for two consecutive semi-final losses to South Africa at the 2023 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ODI World Cup.

Brief scores:
England Women 169/5 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 75, Heather Knight 58; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-25, Shabnim Ismail 2-31)
South Africa Women 129/8 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 51, Laura Wolvaardt 17; Lauren Bell 2-28, Charlie Dean 2-32)