England secure T20 World Cup semi-final spot with win over West Indies

By Rohan Gupta — 25 June 2026 — 3 min read

England secure semi-final berth

England have advanced to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup after a 38-run victory against West Indies at Lord’s. The win ensures their progression with one group game remaining in the tournament. The team posted a total of 186-7 in their 20 overs, which was the highest score in women’s T20s at Lord’s.

The match, played in warm conditions in London, saw significant contributions from Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who scored 65 runs, and Heather Knight, who added 43. Their performances were crucial in setting a challenging target for the West Indies.

Charlie Dean, serving as stand-in skipper, led the team effectively. She also contributed with the bat, hitting two reverse-sweeps for four in the final over of England’s innings, and later took two wickets during the West Indies’ chase.

Key performances and moments

Wyatt-Hodge’s innings of 65 from 42 balls was a highlight, propelling her to become the leading run-scorer in the tournament, surpassing Darcey Carter of Scotland. She expressed her desire to win the trophy, stating her ambition to keep scoring runs and contributing to the team’s success.

The partnership between Wyatt-Hodge and Alice Capsey (28) yielded 66 runs. Knight’s 43 runs also played a vital role in England’s strong batting display. The team managed to score 49% of their runs behind square, utilising sweeps and reverse sweeps to counter the slow pitch conditions.

For the West Indies, captain Hayley Matthews was dismissed early in a controversial decision, adjudged caught behind on review despite her belief that there was a clear gap between bat and ball. Shemaine Campbelle was bowled by Sophie Ecclestone after missing a sweep shot, further hindering the West Indies’ chase.

Despite the strong performance, England did experience some fielding lapses, dropping six chances in the latter half of the West Indies’ innings. Five of these were described as tough opportunities. Chinelle Henry of West Indies capitalised on one such dropped chance, going on to score an eleventh-hour half-century, finishing with 51 not out from 30 balls.

Deandra Dottin was caught by Alice Capsey at long-on after hitting a six, while Jahzara Claxton scored 21 runs from 34 balls before being caught by Linsey Smith. England’s fielding had been excellent earlier in the innings, with Dani Gibson making an acrobatic stop and Capsey taking a crucial catch to dismiss Dottin.

Looking ahead

England’s progression to the semi-finals is now confirmed, extending their winning streak to six matches. They will play their final group game against New Zealand on Saturday. The exact opponent and schedule for their semi-final match are yet to be determined, but South Africa or India are considered the most likely contenders.

Stand-in captain Charlie Dean will continue to lead the team for the match against New Zealand. Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is recovering from a calf injury, is not expected to be risked for the upcoming group stage match, though an MRI scan indicated her calf is responding well to treatment. The medical team hopes she will be fit for the semi-final next week.

The West Indies still have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals but must defeat Ireland on Saturday to secure their spot. New Zealand, the reigning champions, would need the West Indies to lose and then secure a significant win against England to have any hope of advancing.

The match was played in challenging conditions, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius in St John’s Wood, London. This heat was compared to playing in Dubai during the 2024 World Cup by Wyatt-Hodge. A crowd of 14,000 attended the match at Lord’s.

On the other side of the draw, a crucial match between Australia and India on Sunday will help determine England’s potential semi-final opponent. Australia currently leads their group, while India and South Africa are competing for the remaining semi-final spot.

Source: bbc.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter