Danni Wyatt-Hodge powered England into the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals with a well-crafted 65 in an expert 38-run victory over the West Indies in Group B at Lord’s.
Charlotte Edwards watched England make it 4 wins from 4 in the house tournament after they posted 186 for seven with in-form Wyatt-Hodge hitting eight fours in a advantageous 42-ball innings before she was run-out by team-mate Heather Knight.
Knight made amends with 43 during a chaotic end to England’s innings, but once they’d removed the harmful Hayley Matthews for 14 in contentious fashion, West Indies were unable to get better and were restricted to 148 for five.
A fourth consecutive World Cup victory for England ahead of Saturday’s final group fixture with Recent Zealand has secured a last-four berth and top spot in Group B, which has ensured no semi-final meeting with Group A leaders and six-time T20 champions Australia.
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PICTURES: Ben Whitley/PA
Imperious
England under stand-in captain Charlie Dean were unchanged and put into bat first by Matthews in temperatures of 32 degrees within the capital.
Amy Jones and Sophia Dunkley were dismissed cheaply, but Wyatt-Hodge quickly looked in imperious form, producing one sumptuous cover drive for 4, and located strong support in Alice Capsey.
It ensured England were 57 for 2 at the top of the powerplay, which was followed by a hydration break and a transient interlude of Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ from an excitable crowd.
With Capsey completely happy to select gaps in the sector, Wyatt-Hodge found the boundary with regularity to bring up the fifty partnership and reach her half-century off 32 balls.
Capsey’s busy knock of 28 ended carelessly when she chipped to Chinelle Henry at long on, but Knight put her foot down before she left partner Wyatt-Hodge out to dry with a fast call for a single.
Recent record
Wyatt-Hodge departed for a well-made 65 after sharp work in the sector by Jannillea Glasgow and though Knight was involved in two more run-outs, she reverse swept her technique to 43 and Dean’s late cameo helped England post 186 for seven, which set a brand new record for a women’s T20 match at Lord’s.
A quick start was required for West Indies but after England seamer Lauren Bell built up pressure with two tight overs, Matthews was dismissed in controversial fashion.
Big appeals by England wicketkeeper Jones for a caught behind off Linsey Smith were initially ignored before the choice was reviewed and a spike was visible on UltraEdge, but there was a spot between bat and ball.
TV umpire Nimali Perera eventually sided with the technology much to Matthews’ astonishment.
Matthews departed for 14 off 17 balls, but only after a transient remonstration on the sector before she carried on her grievances with match referee Shandre Fritz.
Collasped
Without captain Matthews, West Indies quickly collapsed to 69 for 4 after an excellent catch on the boundary rope by Capsey gave Dean the primary of two scalps.
It was not an ideal fielding display, nevertheless, with two drops within the 14th over.
Firstly, Smith put down a troublesome probability before Jahzara Claxton received one other life when Jones inexplicably spilled a high catch off Dani Gibson.
Gibson put down Henry soon after and a few late blows by the West Indies number six helped her finish on 51 not out, but England stayed perfect after 4 matches.
READ MORE: T20 World Cup: Sophia Dunkley steps up in Nat Sciver-Brunt’s absence as England beat Scotland
