Then there were two – Raito, the giants of the women’s game are back in the final, where they will go head-to-head in what is expected to be an iconic match at the ‘Home of Cricket’. On one side stands England Women’s National Team, host country, 2009 champion and a team that has never lost a World Cup final on home soil. On the other side stand Australia’s mighty women, who have 6 T20 World Cups to their name. Both teams have an impeccable record heading into the final, but there can only be one winner. It’s all set for a grand finale for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, and it all kicks off on Sunday, July 5 at the iconic Lord’s. The match is scheduled to start at 2.30pm GMT, but you can join us soon to get ready for the match. Until then, goodbye from us. Cheers!
Nat Sciver-Brunt of England Women – describes the Oval as a special place to play cricket and says she has loved playing there over the years. She adds: “It’s a great place to show people what it means to represent England and inspire the next generation.” Sciver-Brunt says she has always had complete faith in England’s batting unit. After being reduced to 23/3, she and Heather Knight knew they had an important job to do. She praised the composure they showed, adding that they approached the innings differently than a typical T20 knock. On the field, Sciver-Brunt says there were variable bounces all the time. Keeping the stumps in play was important, while the cutters and cross-connects proved effective. She thanked the fans for their support throughout the tournament, saying that the atmosphere was amazing. Even during the game, she was able to take it all in and is already looking forward to experiencing it again at Lord’s. In terms of her fitness, Skiver-Brent says her calves feel good. Looking forward to the final, she describes it as a big occasion and says playing a World Cup final at Lord’s is a dream. He adds that Australia is a very successful and very talented team.
Laura Wolfhardt of the South African Women’s Team – When Wolfhardt was asked about her feelings, she said it was a disappointing result, but she also said the England team deserved to win. When asked about the teams, she replied that England were good with the ball and had a great partnership, which they really lacked in their innings. Regarding the course, she says the course was very good for the bat as the ball was hitting the bat well. He thought 170 was an even total and the field was lightning fast. Regarding the support in the stadium, she says that she is very happy and grateful to the fans who came to the stadium to support her. Regarding the tournament as a whole, she says they had a good campaign. They didn’t quite find the rhythm in the batting unit throughout the tournament, but their bowling and fielding were up to the mark.
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Now let’s listen to what the two leaders have to say…
Skiver back with a bang – Earlier today, Nat Sciver-Brunt returned to the England Women’s squad and, although not 100 per cent fit, led the fight for her team. South Africa Women had the home team reeling 23/3 as Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail breathed the fire. However, Nat and former captain Heather Knight put up 133 points that changed the complexion of the game. Nat was the standout player, scoring 75 off just 47 balls, but Knight also scored a half-century. The Proteas pulled things back in the last two overs and kept England down to 169 runs.
Another day, another heartbreak – South Africa Women did very well to upset India and reach the semi-finals once again, but their shaky batting cost them dearly as it did against Australia in their opening encounter as well. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits gave the Proteas a good start, scoring 43 runs for the opening wicket, but Wolvaardt gave her wicket away, and things turned around. The British tried to build a few more stands and reached their fifty, but wickets kept falling, and the British were also out soon after. There was not much fighting on the part of the middle class, and South Africa was easily blown away.
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Player of the Match – England captain Nat Sciver-Brent took the award for her game-changing knock of 75 off just 47 balls. Back in the squad, Skiver-Brent admitted there was a lot of tension, which was exacerbated by the World Cup semi-final. She adds that there were a lot of emotions before the match, but once she started warming up, she was able to simply enjoy herself. Up against Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail, Siver-Brunt says they are both world-class openers. The arrows indicate that the plan was to nullify their threat early and then capitalize on the rest of the attack. Speaking of the pitch, Sciver-Brunt says there was a bit of variable bounce. He mentions that the idea was to stay strong on the stumps and be clear about the scoring areas. He adds that spending time at the crease made batting a lot easier, while it was difficult for new batsmen coming in.
Prolific on the pitch – England Women were getting on the board, but it was a reachable goal. However, as soon as Sophie Ecclestone picked up that ball from Laura Wolfhardt, the hosts pounced and were relentless. It was a good bowling performance as the spinners had their say on the draining track, and Freya Kemp was simply brilliant with her slower bowlers. All, except Danielle Gibson, picked up a wicket, but she was bowled on a single. All in all, a performance worthy of securing a place in the final.
BACK TO THE FINAL – England Women are back in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup, their streak of winning all the World Cups on home soil still alive. An absolutely dominant performance, except for the first few moments of the match, and they beat the South African Women by a wide margin.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 129/8 (19.6 overs)
The result after
20
Amounts
129 – 8
- Shabnim Ismail 2 (2)
- Nadine de Clercq 14 (14)
Lynsey Smith to Shabnim Ismail England have qualified for the final where they will meet Australia. Smith drops it a bit short, on middle. Shabnim hangs back and sweeps it wide from his short, thin leg for just one. Hugs and smiles everywhere in the English camp.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 128/8 (19.5 overs)
Linsey Smith to Nadine de Klerk, delivery by plane, complete a bit, stop. Nadine de Klerk swings it and ends up cutting it long, as the player does not commit herself to the catch and stops to collect it on the bounce. Lynsey Smith is not a happy bit.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 127/8 (19.4 overs)
Lynsey Smith to Nadine de Klerk, bowled with a round arm action, partly short, on middle. Nadine makes room for clearance from the offside side, but the ball does not rise much. Cut it down from the bottom edge towards the short, thin leg.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 127/8 (19.3 points)
Linsey Smith to Shabnim Ismail, Pulls the length back, slightly, on middle. Ismail whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 126/8 (19.2 points)
Lynsey Smith to Nadine de Klerk, fuller and quicker, outside off. Nadine walks across the logs and works hard to sweep. It goes off the top edge but lands safely in front of deep mid-wicket. They cross.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 125/8 (19.1 points)
Lynsey Smith to Nadine de Klerk, Flighted around the wicket, short and on middle and leg. Nadine de Klerk makes room and sums it up. Freya Kemp goes after him and drags him inside with a slide. Two rounds were taken.
Shabnim Ismail enters tenth place for the South African women. Also, Linsey Smith will throw the ball in the final over of the game.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 123/8 (18.6 overs)
The result after
19
Amounts
123 – 8
- Ayabunga Khaka 4 (3)
- Nadine de Clercq 10 (10)
Lauren Bell to Ayabonga Khaka, get out! fort! The slower ball tricks Lauren Bell. This is at the trunks, and is fuller in length. Khaka does not choose to change pace and moves across the line. The ball falls on it and passes under the blade before disturbing the furniture.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 123/7 (18.5 overs)
Lauren Bell to Ayabonga Khaka, FOUR! That somehow went over the fence. There’s this sudden guard walking next to Bill, over the right shoulder. Khaka swings her racket hard. It runs from the top edge all the way to the deep third fence.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 119/7 (18.4 overs)
Lauren Bell to Ayabonga Khaka, another slower ball, on middle. Khaka hits her down the bar.
Ayabonga Khaka is the new batsman.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 119/7 (18.3 overs)
Lauren Bell to Sinalo Jafta, get out! Sinalo Jafta is on! Danny White-Hodge produces the direct hit and that sums up England’s effort on the field. On off, along. Jafta hits it with an angled club face to the back point and is off. Dani White Hodge moves to her left, catches the ball and feels shy at the end of the at-bat. After being brought back, Sinalo struggles to come back and is interrupted by a direct hit from Dani.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 119/6 (18.2 overs)
Lauren Bell to Sinalo Jafta, Sticks it to the leg cutter, good length, outside off. Sinalo pushes away from her body and is beaten on the outside edge.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 119/6 (18.1 points)
Lauren Bell to Sinalo Jafta, move away now, at an annoying distance. Jafta waits forever before trying to shoot the scoop over the goalkeeper but misses.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 119/6 (17.6 overs)
The result after
18
Amounts
119 – 6
- Nadine de Clercq 10 (10)
- Sinalo Jafta 1 (1)
Sophie Ecclestone4-0-21-1
Sophie Ecclestone to Nadine de Klerk, very plump, on. Nadine hits her hard, but she chooses the cover player.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 119/6 (17.5 overs)
Sophie Ecclestone to Sinalo Jafta, full and on the sticks. Jafta pushes it wide for extra cover for one.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 118/6 (17.4 overs)
Sophie Ecclestone and Chloe Tryon are out! Timber! Chloe Tryon is biting the dust right now. This is slower by Sophie, of good length, angled at the leg stump. Tryon extends his hand forward and moves across the line. The ball sneaks under the blade and hits the leg shaft. South Africa Women are now 118/6, needing 52 runs off 14 balls.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 118/5 (17.3 overs)
Sophie Ecclestone to Nadine de Klerk, full and around the leg. Nadine flicks it wide from short leg to her left for a quick single.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 117/5 (17.2 overs)
Sophie Ecclestone to Nadine de Klerk: “A missed opportunity”! Very full, in the middle. Nadine digs it in to cover, as Freya Kemp stops half over. Nadine wants to sneak in a quick song and she’s about halfway through it before putting it back. The ball is lost at the feet of Kemp, who recovers and hastily fires a shot wide of the keeper. This allows de Klerk to return home.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 117/5 (17.1 points)
Sophie Ecclestone to Nadine de Klerk IV! Now Nadine de Klerk is getting one. From around the wicket, bowled, good length. De Klerk makes space for herself and cuts it over cover for four.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 113/5 (16.6 overs)
The result after
17
Amounts
113 – 5
- Chloe Tryon 12 (10)
- Nadine de Clercq 5 (6)
Charlie Dean to Chloe Tryon, on the pads, full length ace. Tryon helps him shorten his thin leg. 12 running from above. 57 required from 18.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 113/5 (16.5 overs)
Charlie Dean to Chloe Tryon, FOUR! Unarranged by Lynsey Smith. Dean moves to the wicket, full and fast, on middle. Tryon makes space and lowers it to long, as Lynsey moves to her right and lowers but allows it to pass through her legs.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 109/5 (16.4 points)
Charlie Dean to Chloe Tryon, FOUR! Up and down. On sticks, along. The field is on the far side and Tryon backs away before turning inside out over extra cover for a boundary.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 105/5 (16.3 overs)
Charlie Dean to Nadine de Klerk, all over the wicket now. At length, Dean pushes him back and lifts the mixture up to make room. De Klerk swings it wide towards mid-wicket for a run.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 104/5 (16.2 points)
Charlie Dean to Nadine de Klerk, no air, flatter and longer. Nadine hits him behind extra cover. Nat Sciver-Brunt chases him down and pulls him off. Two rounds were conducted.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 102/5 (16.1 points)
Charlie Dean to Chloe Tryon, Fired, full and on middle. Tryon comes out and forces him to hold for one long.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 101/5 (15.6 overs)
The result after
16
Amounts
101 – 5
- Chloe Tryon 3 (6)
- Nadine de Clercq 2 (4)
Freya Kemp to Chloe Tryon, Folish, Outside leg, Chloe Tryon misses her flick and hits it on the pad. The ball drips away towards short fine leg, where the fielder picks it up and scores a direct hit at the striker’s end while the batsman takes a single. However, Nadine de Klerk is already inside the crease.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 100/5 (15.5 overs)
Freya Kemp to Nadine de Klerk, Low full toss, outside off, Nadine de Klerk hits it wide of the extra cover fielder and gets a quick single. 100 points for South Africa!
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 99/5 (15.4 points)
Freya Kemp to Nadine de Klerk, Fuller touch, on off, Nadine de Klerk pushes it to cover point.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 99/5 (15.3 points)
Freya Kemp to Chloe Tryon, Pulls the length back, off and middle. Tryon places it to the right of the point and reaches the other end.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 98/5 (15.2 points)
Freya Kemp to Chloe Tryon, much to Chloe Tryon’s surprise, is not widely introduced. Lower leg, good length. Chloe misses the tickles. The referee believes he cleaned the batter’s pads before passing to the keeper.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 98/5 (15.1 points)
Freya Kemp to Chloe Tryon, go fast, full and pass. Tryon directs the drive to the back point.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 98/5 (14.6 points)
The result after
15
Amounts
98 – 5
- Chloe Tryon 2 (2)
- Nadine de Clercq 1 (2)
Charlie Dean to Chloe Tryon, full, on, pushes Chloe Tryon to go long.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 97/5 (14.5 points)
Charlie Dean to Nadine de Klerk, Short, around middle, Nadine de Klerk goes deep into the crease and flicks it with soft hands towards the vacant square leg area for a double. Charlie Dean lunges at her and slides in to cut her down in one round.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 96/5 (14.4 points)
Charlie Dean to Nadine de Klerk, along annoying, on the off, Nadine de Klerk defends the ball back to the bowler.
South Africa Women vs. England Women Live Score: 96/5 (14.3 points)
Charlie Dean to Chloe Tryon, attacking the front board. Tryon clips it to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.
Chloe Tryon is now in seventh place.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 95/5 (14.2 points)
Charlie Dean to Tazmin Brits, get out! In the air and gone. Fifty and out for Tazmin Brits. Another threat was nipped in the bud by England. Two wickets in three balls for the hosts. Full, fast, right in the middle. The British charge the track and pass through the line. It lost its shape and veered off the front edge of the coverage, where Nat Sciver-Brunt set it up safely. Wicket No. 2 for Dean.
South Africa Women vs England Women Live Score: 95/4 (14.1 points)
Charlie Dean to Tazmin Brits, FOUR! She gets it off and that leads to a fifty for Tazmin Brits, her 16th in T20Is. It’s all about the chase that gets away here in South Africa. Flat and short, on the way out. The British are making way to force themselves away from the other side. He explodes off the toe end and races past the short third for a boundary.
drinks! Another Protea wicket falls and their hopes dwindle further. Tazmin Brits is still there, but needs more support. The Brits have the game-changing batting ability, but at the moment England’s women are doing everything right with the ball, and on the field too. With 79 needed from 36 balls, South Africa’s women will certainly need a bit of luck too if they want to get over the line. However, Nadine de Klerk comes out to bat next.