England thump South Africa to set up Women's T20 World Cup final with Australia

LONDON: Returning captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight's blistering half-centuries, followed by a disciplined bowling performance, led hosts England to a comfortable 40-run victory over South Africa in the second semi-final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 here at The Oval on Thursday.

The victory propelled England into the final, where they will lock horns with traditional rivals Australia at The Lord's on Sunday.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt's decision to field first backfired as the home side piled up a commendable total of 169/5 in 20 overs, courtesy of a century-plus partnership between Knight and returning captain Sciver-Brunt, who missed their previous three matches since picking up a recurring injury during the group-stage match against Ireland last month.

England, however, got off to a contrasting start to their innings as they lost both their openers, Amy Jones (two) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (12), alongside middle-order batter Alice Capsey (1), inside four overs with just 23 runs on the board.

Following the early stutter, Knight joined Sciver-Brunt in the middle, and the duo scripted an astounding recovery for England by putting together a 133-run partnership for the fourth wicket, during which both senior players brought up their respective half-centuries.

Nonkululeko Mlaba eventually broke the monumental stand on the second delivery of the penultimate over by dismissing Sciver-Brunt, who walked back after top-scoring for England with a blistering 75 off 47 deliveries, studded with 11 fours and a six, which earned her the Player of the Match award.

Mlaba struck again in the same over, dismissing another set batter, Knight, who made 58 off 47 deliveries with the help of six fours and a six.

Bowling all-rounder Dani Gibson contributed with a run-a-ball six not out as England settled for 169/5.

For South Africa, Shabnim Ismail and Mlaba bagged two wickets each, while Marizanne Kapp could claim one.

Set to chase a daunting 170-run target in the high-stakes fixture, South Africa's batting lineup faltered and could muster 129/8 in their allotted 20 overs despite an anchoring half-century by Tazmin Brits.

The opener waged a lone battle for the Proteas Women and top-scored with a 45-ball 51 until falling victim to Charlie Dean on the second delivery of the 15th over.

Besides her, skipper Laura Wolvaardt (17), with whom she shared a 43-run opening partnership, and the middle-order trio of Nadine de Klerk (14), Chloe Tryon (12) and Sune Luus (11) could amass double figures against the dominant England bowling attack, which Lauren Bell and Dean co-led by taking two wickets each.

They were supported by Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Freya Kemp, who chipped in with one scalp apiece.