Wyatt-Hodge fires England into T20 World Cup semi-final after West Indies win

England propelled themselves into the semi-finals of their home T20 World Cup with a 38-run win against West Indies on Wednesday evening at Lord’s.

A half-century from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and a laboured 43 from Heather Knight helped England put 186 on the board, although the hosts’ effort was not without its nervy moments: Knight ran out first Wyatt-Hodge then herself, while the Freya Kemp-Dani Gibson engine room failed to ignite this time as England finished seven wickets down.

But Charlie Dean – once again standing in as skipper as Nat Sciver-Brunt battles a calf injury – proved calm under pressure, twice reverse-sweeping for four in the final over before chiming in with two wickets as West Indies fell well short.

Dean will continue as captain for England’s final group-stage match against New Zealand on Saturday. An MRI scan on Wednesday showed Sciver-Brunt’s calf is responding well to treatment, but the medical team feel she needs more time for rehabilitation before hopefully being fit for next week’s semi-final.

West Indies were England’s bogey team in the 2024 World Cup, knocking them out after England put down five catches, but this time it was the team in maroon who stumbled in the field. Even captain Hayley Matthews got in on the act, shelling a chance at extra cover to hand Knight a life on 14.

Matthews then found herself at the heart of a controversial decision when she was adjudged caught behind by the TV umpire, Nimali Perera, despite Perera stating on air that she could see a clear gap between bat and ball. Matthews remonstrated with the on-field umpires, who had originally ruled her not out, but had to depart for 14.

“When I cut at the ball, I heard something which I thought was probably my bat handle,” Matthews said. “I immediately went to the on-field umpires and told them that I heard a noise. I certainly felt like I was far away from the ball, and I let them know. I felt like you could have seen a clear gap between bat and ball, but [the third umpire] has got to work with the technology that there is and she saw a spike. And at the end of the day I have to respect that.”

From there, the West Indian innings gradually petered out. Deandra Dottin launched one huge six over long-on before being caught by Alice Capsey trying to repeat the feat, while Sophie Ecclestone had the in-form Shemaine Campbelle bowled missing a sweep shot. Jahzara Claxton limped her way to 21 from 34 balls, before finally being put out of her misery in the penultimate over when she slapped a catch straight to Linsey Smith at point.

They never looked like getting the runs, but England will feel some frustration at not being able to finish West Indies off: Chinelle Henry was put down in the deep on 28, and slammed Smith for two sixes in the 20th over as she brought up an eleventh-hour half-century. In a semi-final, these things will matter – but for now, time to celebrate getting there.

Wyatt-Hodge said: “I really want to get my hands on that trophy. I’ve never won a T20 World Cup, so I want to keep scoring runs, keep contributing, and enjoy it.”

West Indies can still qualify for the semis but now need to beat Ireland on Saturday to guarantee their spot. England face New Zealand later on the same day: the reigning champions need to hope West Indies lose and then win big against England to have any chance of progressing.

On the other side of the draw, Sunday’s clash between Australia and India will be crucial in determining who England might face in their semi. Australia currently top the group, while India and South Africa face a nervous few days as they fight it out for the fourth semi-final spot.

As well as each other, both teams were battling the unprecedented 35-degree heat. On a day in which St John’s Wood, London, was hotter than St John’s, Antigua, even West Indies’ twelfth carried drinks out under an ICC-branded umbrella. Three thousand ticket holders had heeded government advice to avoid all non-essential travel and failed to show, although that still left a crowd of 14,000 in the stands.

Wyatt-Hodge compared it to playing in the afternoon heat of Dubai in the 2024 World Cup. But her 65 from 42 balls ensured she leapfrogged Scotland’s Darcey Carter to become the leading tournament run-scorer, and proved the winning hand.