HomeFeatureICC T20 World Cup 2023: Road To Semi-Final – England

ICC T20 World Cup 2023: Road To Semi-Final – England

England and Australia are the only two teams who maintained an all-win record in the group stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2023. England managed to win all four of their group matches and will now face hosts South Africa in the semi-finals on February 24, Friday.

The English contingent came into the tournament as one of the favourites and has done well as a unit till now. England’s team has a great mix of youth and experience and that has held them in good stead in the tournament.

Nat Sciver-Brunt has been the star performer for the side. She is the highest run-scorer in the group stages of the 10-team event. Heather Knight has also led the team from the front. The likes of Sophia Dunkley and Danielle Wyatt stood up in different matches while Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn have been exceptional with the ball.

Here’s how England reached the semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2023:

England vs West Indies

England began their campaign in the world cup with a comprehensive win against the West Indies. Opting to bat first, the Windies could post only 135 runs in their stipulated 20 overs. Sophie Ecclestone choked opposition batters with her guile and ended with 3 wickets.

With the bat, Nat Sciver-Brunt played an assured knock of 40 from 30 balls to take her team home with 33 balls and 7 wickets to spare. An 18-ball 34 from Sophia Dunkley at the top laid the foundation for the middle order.

Player of the Match: Nat Sciver-Brunt

England vs Ireland

Ireland won the toss and elected to bat first. They could only manage a below-par score of 105. Alice Capsey played a blistering knock of 51 off just 22 balls as England won by 4 wickets with 32 balls to spare. Sophie Ecclestone was exceptional once again with the ball as she picked up 3 wickets. Sarah Glenn also stood out with a 3-wicket haul.

Player of the Match: Alice Capsey

England vs India

The two unbeaten sides in Group B – India and England faced off in what was going to be a crucial affair. The winner of the match would be all but sure of a place in the semis. Harmanpreet Kaur sent England to bat first. The English top 3 fell cheaply as the side was reeling at 29/3. However, captain Heather Knight and the in-form Nat Sciver-Brunt stitched a critical 51-run partnership to steady the ship.

Amy Jones threw her bat around and made a vital 27-ball 40 as England posted 151/7 in 20 overs. The English spinners managed to keep a check on the scoring rate when India came out to bat. A late blitzkrieg from Richa Ghosh wasn’t enough as England won by 11 runs.

Player of the Match: Nat Sciver-Brunt

England vs Pakistan

Having already confirmed their semi-final spot, England faced Pakistan in Cape Town in an inconsequential match. Opting to bat first, England posted a mammoth 213 for 5 in 20 overs. This turned out to be the highest total of the tournament. Nat Sciver-Brunt once again played a fine knock as she remained not out on 81 off just 40 balls. Danielle Wyatt (59 off 33) and Amy Jones (47 off 31) also entertained the fans.

Pakistan could only manage 99 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 9 wickets as England continued their winning streak in the tournament. Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Charlotte Dean picked up a couple of wickets each in what was really a very professional performance from the European nation.

Player of the Match: Nat Sciver-Brunt

Highest run-scorer for the team:

Nat Sciver-Brunt is not only the highest run-scorer for England, but she is also the highest run-scorer in the tournament thus far. In 4 matches, she has scored 176 runs at an average of 88. This is the highest average for a batter in the competition. Her strike rate is an impressive 147.90.

Highest wicket-taker for the team:

Sophie Ecclestone was the join-highest wicket-taker after the group stages. After the completion of the first semi-final between India and Australia, Megan Schutt and Ashleigh Gardner are tied at the top with 9 wickets from 5 matches.

Ecclestone and Lea Tahuhu are tied at No. 2 with 8 wickets from 4 matches. Eccleston also has the best bowling average in the tournament at just 7.62. She has conceded runs at an economy of just 3.81 which is the second-best in the tournament.


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