England reached the ICC Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals after five wins from five and now face South Africa at The Oval on Thursday. The unbeaten run has carried them into a knockout match against the same opponents who beat them in the past two semi-final meetings.
Alex Hartley said: “They look good,” and added, “I have been so impressed with them.” She also said, “They are the best [England] team I have seen for a good few years.”
England’s group campaign was heavy enough to leave a mark. They piled up 219-1 in an 89-run victory against Sri Lanka on the opening night, beat Ireland by four wickets after Nat Sciver-Brunt injured her calf, and then brushed aside Scotland, West Indies and New Zealand.
Nat Sciver-Brunt and Charlie Dean
Sciver-Brunt’s calf injury forced a shift in England’s balance, and Charlie Dean has stood in for the captain during the group stage. Danni Wyatt-Hodge has supplied the runs, sitting as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, while Hartley said, “They seem to have everything covered. I think they have one of the best bowling attacks in the world and with the bat, Danni Wyatt-Hodge is in the form of her life.”
South Africa at The Oval
South Africa finished second in Group 1 behind Australia and arrive after a group stage that was unconvincing for long stretches. Australia beat West Indies on Tuesday to secure their place in Sunday’s final at Lord's, leaving England and South Africa to decide the other side of the bracket on Thursday.
Hartley said, “I don't want to put the mockers on them.” She also added, “I am going into the semi-finals nervous, because we haven't seen them under pressure and it's where England have crumbled and failed over the last three or four years, but I am very confident.” England have not won a World Cup since 2017, and South Africa beat them in the sides’ past two semi-final meetings, at the 2023 T20 World Cup and last year's 50-over World Cup. The question now is whether this England side can turn five straight wins into a knockout finish at The Oval.
