{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "England storm back from 23/3 to stun South Africa by 40 runs, set up July 5 final against Australia",
  "summary": "Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight's blazing fourth-wicket stand powered England to a 40-run win over South Africa in the second semifinal, booking a place in the T20 Women's World Cup final against six-time champions Australia at Lord's on July 5.",
  "content": "England have booked their place in the final of the Women's T20 World Cup being held on home soil, beating South Africa by 40 runs in the second semifinal at The Oval. Batting first, England posted 169/5, and South Africa were restricted to 129/8 in reply. England will now face six-time champions Australia, who also remain unbeaten in the tournament, in the final at Lord's on July 5.\n\nThe title carries huge significance for England. Back in 2009, England became the very first T20 World Cup champions after beating New Zealand in the inaugural edition. Should England lift the trophy this time, it would be their first title in 17 years.\n\n \n\nFrom 23/3 to a match-winning 133-run stand\nThe biggest story of the night was England's remarkable recovery after an early stumble. The side had slipped to 23/3 before Nat Sciver-Brunt, back from injury, and captain Heather Knight took charge. The pair put on a blistering 133-run partnership for the fourth wicket off just 90 balls, completely turning the match around. Sciver-Brunt, returning after missing three matches with a shin injury, smashed 75 off 47 balls, while Knight matched her with 58 off 47 balls.\n\nBowlers finish the job\nAfter the batters laid the foundation, England's bowlers made sure the job was finished, holding South Africa to 129/8 in reply to 169 and sealing a comfortable 40-run win. Notably, this same England side had lost to South Africa in the semifinal of last year's 50-over World Cup and also in the semifinal of the 2023 T20 World Cup, making this win one that settled some old scores.\n\nIsmail's landmark strike removes Jones first ball\nSouth Africa's Ismail made history by dismissing England opener Amy Jones with the very first ball of the innings, becoming the first woman to complete 50 wickets in the T20 Women's World Cup. England, however, recovered from the early setback and launched a swift counter-attack.\n\nMlaba strikes twice in three balls\nSouth Africa's Mlaba struck twice within three balls, removing both Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt to hand her side a double breakthrough. By then, though, England had already put enough runs on the board to leave South Africa needing to chase down the second-highest successful run chase in T20 Women's World Cup history, no easy task.\n\n \n\nEcclestone's stunning catch ends Wolvaardt's fight\nChasing 170, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt did not get to face a single delivery in the first three overs. She faced just four balls and scored two runs, though by the end of the powerplay she had reached 13 runs at a run-a-ball rate. Facing Linsey Smith, Wolvaardt advanced down the track attempting to clear mid-on, but Ecclestone leapt backwards and pouched a spectacular overhead catch, breaking South Africa's 43-run opening partnership. By the end of the powerplay, the required run rate had already climbed to nine an over, and it kept rising steadily from there, with South Africa eventually bowled out for 129/8.\n\nThe stage is set for Lord's\nAfter 22 days and 32 matches in the tournament, all attention now turns to the final at Lord's on July 5, where an unbeaten England will take on an unbeaten Australia. The match is scheduled to start at 6:30 PM IST.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• For cricket fans: The final between unbeaten England and unbeaten Australia will be played at Lord's on July 5, starting at 6:30 PM IST.\n• For England: A win in the final would give the team its first T20 World Cup title in 17 years, since their debut triumph in 2009.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. By what margin did England beat South Africa?\nEngland won the second semifinal by 40 runs, posting 169/5 before bowling South Africa out for 129/8.\n\n2. When and where will the final be played?\nThe final will be played between England and Australia at Lord's on July 5, starting at 6:30 PM IST.\n\n3. Who were the top scorers in the match?\nNat Sciver-Brunt scored 75 off 47 balls and Heather Knight scored 58 off 47 balls, adding a 133-run fourth-wicket partnership.\n\n4. When did England last win the T20 World Cup?\nEngland won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2009 by beating New Zealand, and a win this time would be their first title in 17 years.\n\n5. What record did South Africa's Ismail set?\nIsmail became the first woman to take 50 wickets in the T20 Women's World Cup after dismissing Amy Jones with the very first ball.\n\n6. What was the turning point in South Africa's chase?\nDuring captain Laura Wolvaardt's 43-run opening stand, Ecclestone took a stunning overhead catch to dismiss her, after which the required run rate kept climbing steadily.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/da-ovala-men-england-ki-joradara-vapasi-south-africa-ko-40-rana-se-raundakara-pahunchi-phainala-men-aba-5-julai-ko-australia-se-ta-4305",
  "category": "Cricket",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-03",
  "tags": [
    "Women's T20 World Cup",
    "England vs South Africa",
    "England vs Australia final",
    "Nat Sciver-Brunt",
    "Heather Knight",
    "Lord's final"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}