England beat South Africa to reach Women's T20 World Cup final

LONDON: Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight led England's recovery from an early collapse as the hosts beat South Africa by 40 runs in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final at the Oval on Thursday to set up a title clash with Australia.

England, put in to bat, were in trouble at 23-3 inside four overs despite a crowd of more than 21,000. But Sciver-Brunt and former captain Knight, both part of England's 2017 50-over World Cup-winning side, turned the innings around with a fourth-wicket stand of 133 that carried their team to 169-5.

Sciver-Brunt, returning from the thigh injury that had ruled her out of England's previous three group matches, top-scored with 75. Knight made 58. Both were dismissed in the penultimate over by left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, who finished with 2-25.

England recover after top-order wobble

South Africa made an excellent start with three wickets in the opening four overs. Shabnim Ismail struck with the first ball of her spell when Amy Jones cut to point, while Marizanne Kapp removed Danni Wyatt-Hodge for 12 with a slower ball. Wyatt-Hodge had scored a tournament-record 282 runs at an average of 94 across her previous five innings. Alice Capsey then fell lbw to Ismail as England slipped further.

Sciver-Brunt and Knight then rebuilt the innings decisively. On her Surrey home ground, the 33-year-old Sciver-Brunt reached fifty from 35 balls when she hit Nadine de Klerk through midwicket for her ninth four. Knight brought up her half-century from 42 deliveries with a slog-swept six off Ayabonga Khaka, while Sciver-Brunt also hit de Klerk over midwicket for six.

South Africa's chase fades

Set 170 to win, South Africa lost captain Laura Wolvaardt for 17 when Sophie Ecclestone took a leaping catch at mid-on off Linsey Smith. The Proteas went from 43-1 to 49-2 after Annerie Dercksen sliced a slower ball from Freya Kemp to point.

England then removed the key wicket of Marizanne Kapp, who made five before giving Sciver-Brunt a simple catch at extra-cover off Charlie Dean after a leading edge. Opener Tazmin Brits struck a fifty at better than a run a ball, but she too fell to Dean.

South Africa, who had beaten England in the semi-finals of the 2023 tournament and in last year's 50-over World Cup, were effectively out of the contest at 95-5. More wickets followed as the chase stalled, with the Proteas closing on 129-8.

England will now meet Australia in Sunday's final at Lord's. Australia, six-time champions, reached the final with an eight-wicket win over the West Indies in Tuesday's first semi-final at the Oval. Both finalists have won all six of their matches in the tournament.