Women’s World Cup T20: England vs Australia final after Nat Sciver-Brunt’s heroic comeback against South Africa

Skipper Sciver-Brunt is starring in England’s run to the finals with a 40-run win over South Africa. (NOT a photo) England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt produced a remarkable comeback innings after recovering from injury to steer her side into the final of the Women’s World T20 Cup with a 40-run win over South Africa in the semi-final at The Oval on Thursday.The win sets up a sensational title match against unbeaten Australia at a sold-out Lord’s on Sunday, marking the first Women’s T20 World Cup final since 2010 to feature two unbeaten teams.England posted 169/5 before restricting South Africa to 129/8 in front of a record Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final crowd of 21,128.

Saving the Sciver-Brunt and Knight script

Sciver-Brunt returned after missing England’s last three group stage matches with a calf injury and took the wicket just seven balls into the innings. England were soon reeling at 23/3 after a fiery opening spell from Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp.The England skipper teamed up with former skipper Heather Knight to form one of the greatest partnerships in Women’s World T20 history, adding 133 runs for the fourth wicket – the highest in a World Cup knockout match.Sciver-Brunt led the charge with a brilliant 75 off 47 balls, with 50 of her runs coming in boundaries, while Knight anchored the innings with a composed 58 off 47 deliveries. Their stand broke England’s previous World Cup knock-out record of 122 against Australia in the 2009 semi-final.“I was nervous,” Sciver-Brunt admitted after the game. “The opportunity is pretty big, so it’s nerve-wracking and I missed a few games. But once the warm-up started, I was able to switch back to game time and just enjoy it there. Heather and I put our heads together with our experience and got the job done.”The innings also saw Sciver-Brunt equal the record for most half-centuries in Women’s T20 World Cup history with eight, level with New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and Australia’s Beth Mooney.

South Africa struggle as England seal showdown with Australia

South Africa’s decision to bowl first paid off as Ismail and Kapp tore through England’s top order. Ismail also became the first woman to take 50 wickets in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup.But once the new-ball pair finished their spells, England took complete control through the experienced partnership of Sciver-Brunt-Knight.Chased by 170, South Africa never recovered after losing captain Laura Wolvaardt, Annerie Dercksen and Kappa cheaply. In the 11th over, the required run rate climbed above and beyond 11, leaving last year’s finalists with an almost impossible task.Opener Tazmin Brits fought back with a 45-ball 51 but lacked support as South Africa eventually finished on 129/8.

England eye first title since 2009

Everyone from across the attack contributed to England’s disciplined bowling effort, with Freya Kemp returning excellent figures of 1/11, while spinner Sophie Ecclestone claimed 1/21 and added two catches.Having remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, England now head into Sunday’s final brimming with confidence as they prepare to take on world number one Australia at Lord’s. The clash promises to be a fitting finale between the competition’s top two teams, with England aiming to dethrone the defending champions and claim their first Women’s T20 World Cup title since 2009.