England did not quite banish all the demons of 2024 but they completed a comprehensive 38-run win over the West Indies to become the first team to clinch a semi-final spot at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
In blistering temperatures at Lord’s, England were in total control for almost the entirety of this clash at the summit of Group B against the opponents who had so unceremoniously dumped them out of the same tournament two years earlier.
That day in Dubai, England put down five catches in a disastrous final group game that cost them dear, and while they eventually shelled as many here, the game had been wrapped up by the time the errors crept in.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge continued her fine tournament, following up her opening century against Sri Lanka with a quickfire 65 here to help England to 186-7, the highest WT20I total at Lord’s.
She was ably supported by Heather Knight (43) and Alice Capsey (28) as England continue to thrive despite the absence of Nat Sciver-Brunt.
The skipper will not now have to rush back for the final group game against New Zealand, while this win also likely means that England will avoid Australia until a potential final barring a dramatic shift in net run-rate.
England were put into bat and despite blazing heat that had those in the stands constantly fanning themselves, they pressurised the West Indian fielders with ambitious running between the wickets.
Wyatt-Hodge admitted the conditions were comparable to playing cricket in the Middle East, but with the humidity factor added in to exacerbate matters.
She said: “That’s the hottest I’ve ever played in, in England, quite close to Dubai a couple of years back, but that was dry heat.”
After Amy Jones went for eight in an eventful first over, her opening partner tucked into some wayward bowling, putting on 66 with Capsey and then 40 with Knight to put England on course for a fine total.
England’s ambitious running came at a price, both Wyatt-Hodge and Knight run out while attempting runs that were simply not on – in the case of Knight, she abandoned her effort but had still left herself too much to do to get back.
After reaching 200 in each of their two previous first-innings totals, this was a slight step down, but against superior opposition.
And it proved more than enough against a West Indian team that needed Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin to fire to have any chance.
Both showed glimpses, the West Indian skipper with a couple of boundaries before she was given out caught behind for 14 after a review off Linsey Smith. Snicko showed a spike but the replay suggested a gap between bat and ball. Needless to say, Matthews was not convinced by the decision, pleading her case to both the on-field umpires and then the officials off the pitch after she finally trudged off.
Self-proclaimed ‘World Boss’ Dottin then took centre stage with two fours and a six in stand-in skipper Charlie Dean’s first over, batting in a way that only she can. But a big hit too many proved costly as Capsey held onto a crucial catch on the boundary – some vindication after she was one of the culprits in Dubai two years ago.
From there, the West Indies were always going to struggle to keep up with the rate, especially with Stafanie Taylor not coming in as she struggled with a respiratory illness.
Chinelle Henry did her best, with a fine unbeaten half-century, but those lusty blows were more valuable from a net run-rate perspective than really threatening England.
It should not come down to net run-rate for the Windies, who will join England in the semi-finals if they beat winless Ireland, but this game did show some of the limitations of their bowling which rarely troubled England.
For the hosts, a succession of dropped chances once the game was in hand will have been frustrating, even if all bar a Jones skier were really tough.
The game could also have been closed out in more clinical fashion, but for their first big test of the tournament, England came through with flying colours.
Defending champions New Zealand are next up and the perfect dress rehearsal for the knockouts. More importantly though, England are through and just two wins away from World Cup glory.
Follow the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at https://www.icc-cricket.com/.
