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England propelled themselves into nan semi-finals of their location T20 World Cup pinch a 38-run triumph against West Indies connected Wednesday evening astatine Lord’s.
A half-century from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and a laboured 43 from Heather Knight helped England put 186 connected nan board, though nan hosts’ effort was not without its nervy moments: Knight ran retired first Wyatt-Hodge past herself, while nan Freya Kemp-Dani Gibson motor room grounded to ignite this clip arsenic England vanished 7 wickets down.
But Charlie Dean – erstwhile again opinionated successful arsenic skipper arsenic Nat Sciver-Brunt battles a calf wounded – proved calm nether pressure, doubly reverse-sweeping for 4 successful nan last complete earlier chiming successful pinch 2 wickets arsenic West Indies fell good short.
West Indies were England’s bogey squad successful nan 2024 World Cup, knocking them retired aft England put down 5 catches, but this clip it was nan squad successful maroon who stumbled successful nan field. Even their captain, Hayley Matthews, sewage successful connected nan act, shelling a chance astatine extra-cover to manus Knight a life connected 14.
Matthews past recovered herself astatine nan bosom of a arguable determination erstwhile she was adjudged caught down by nan TV umpire, Nimali Perera, contempt Perera stating connected aerial that she could spot a clear spread betwixt bat and ball. Matthews remonstrated pinch nan on-field umpires, who had primitively ruled her not out, but had to depart for 14.
From there, nan West Indies innings gradually petered out. Deandra Dottin launched 1 immense six complete long-on earlier being caught by Alice Capsey trying to repetition nan feat, while Sophie Ecclestone had nan in-form Shemaine Campbelle bowled missing a expanse shot. Jahzara Claxton limped her measurement to 21 from 34 balls, earlier yet being put retired of her misery successful nan penultimate complete erstwhile she slapped a drawback consecutive to Linsey Smith astatine point.
They ne'er looked for illustration getting nan runs, but England will consciousness immoderate vexation astatine not being capable to decorativeness West Indies off: Chinelle Henry was put down successful nan heavy connected 28, and slammed Smith for 2 sixes successful nan 20th complete arsenic she brought up an eleventh-hour half-century. In a semi-final, these things will matter – but for now, clip to observe getting there.
West Indies tin still suffice for nan semis but now request to hit Ireland connected Saturday to guarantee their spot. England look New Zealand later connected nan aforesaid day: nan reigning champions request to dream West Indies suffer and past triumph large against England to person immoderate chance of progressing.
It is unclear whether Sciver-Brunt will beryllium fresh to return for that match. Dean reported connected Tuesday that she was “tracking well” and she was spotted successful nan nets astatine Lord’s, but besides looked to person her limb good strapped. In immoderate case, fixed Dean’s clear-headed guidance frankincense far, England whitethorn now for illustration to prevention Sciver-Brunt up for their semi-final alternatively than consequence her successful a low-stakes game.
On nan different broadside of nan draw, Sunday’s conflict betwixt Australia and India will beryllium important successful determining who England mightiness look successful their semi. Australia presently apical nan group, while India and South Africa look a tense fewer days arsenic they conflict it retired for nan 4th semi-final spot.
As good arsenic each other, some teams were battling nan unprecedented 35-degree heat. On a time successful which St John’s Wood, London was hotter than St John’s, Antigua, moreover West Indies’ 12th carried drinks retired nether an ICC-branded umbrella. Three 1000 summons holders had heeded authorities proposal to debar each non-essential recreation and grounded to show, though that still near a crowd of 14,000 successful nan stands.
After being put successful to bat, England enjoyed a fruitful powerplay contempt nan early nonaccomplishment of Amy Jones, who struck 2 delectable boundaries from Henry’s opening complete but past prodded her consecutive to short third.
Wyatt-Hodge was supported by a nifty 28-run cameo from Capsey, and a longer business pinch Knight, who relied connected her trademark sweeps and reverse sweeps. But it was Wyatt-Hodge herself, who struck 65 from 42 balls and leapfrogged Scotland’s Darcey Carter to go nan starring tourney run-scorer, who played nan cardinal innings. It wasn’t rather nan blockbuster effort of her opening-night spectacular against Sri Lanka – she struggled astatine times to link cleanly, and grounded to clear nan bound statement erstwhile – but connected a slower transportation connected a sweltering basking night, it proved nan winning hand.
