Wyatt-Hodge Leads England Past West Indies Into Women’s T20 World Cup Semi-Finals

England reached the semi-finals of their home Women’s T20 World Cup with a 38-run win over West Indies at Lord’s on Wednesday evening, after Danni Wyatt-Hodge made 65 off 42 balls and Heather Knight scored 43.

England posted 186-7, with Wyatt-Hodge’s 65 supported by Knight’s 43 and Alice Capsey’s 28, before West Indies were restricted to 148-5 in reply.

BBC

Charlie Dean, standing in as skipper as Nat Sciver-Brunt battles a calf injury, proved calm under pressure and helped England finish seven wickets down in their chase of the win.

West Indies’ innings featured a controversial caught-behind dismissal of captain Hayley Matthews for 14, after review and TV umpire Nimali Perera’s decision.

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.”

The match unfolded in sweltering conditions at Lord’s, with both teams also battling “the unprecedented 35-degree heat” as England’s innings and West Indies’ chase played out.

Matthews 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, and Matthews remonstrated with the on-field umpires before departing for 14.

BBC

Matthews explained her reaction after the decision: “When I cut at the ball, I heard something which I thought was probably my bat handle,” and she added that she felt “you could have seen a clear gap between bat and ball.”

England’s fielding then became a talking point as the BBC said England dropped six chances, five of which were tough, in the back half of West Indies’ innings.

The Independent framed England’s win as a step toward T20 glory, noting the 38-run victory made them the first team to clinch a semi-final spot at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

England will continue as captain for their final group-stage match against New Zealand on Saturday, with the medical team saying an MRI scan on Wednesday showed Nat Sciver-Brunt’s calf is responding well to treatment but she needs more time for rehabilitation.

The Independent reported that England’s statement after the match said Nat Sciver-Brunt’s scan showed she is making good progress and that she will miss the group match against New Zealand.

West Indies can still qualify for the semis but now need to beat Ireland on Saturday to guarantee their spot, with the BBC saying England’s progression is assured before the final group game against New Zealand.

The News Room Guyana outlet added that West Indies would secure their own progression to the last four if they win against Ireland in Bristol earlier that afternoon.

In the semi-final picture, the Guardian said England face New Zealand later on the same day and that Sunday’s clash between Australia and India will be crucial in determining who England might face in their semi.