SYDNEY (Australia): England booked their berth in the T20 Women’s World Cup semifinal with a comfortable 46-run win over the West Indies on Sunday while South Africa also joined them with 17 runs win over Pakistan.
The highlight of England’s win was a fine bowling and batting by Natalie Sciver, who chipped in with an useful 57.
India are already through from Group A, with defending champions Australia playing New Zealand on Monday to determi ne who gets the last berth.
England won the toss and powered to a competitive 143 for five, with the West Indies ending on a paltry 97.
“It was just very professional, we knew we had to keep it simple and that’s what we did today,” said England captain Heather Knight.
“We’ve been playing knockout cricket from the second game and we’ve reacted very well. Hopefully we can carry that forward.”
It didn’t start well for England with Tammy Beaumont trapped lbw on the fourth ball, but Danni Wyatt put on 50 for the next wicket with Sciver before she was caught for 29.
Knight and Sciver kept the scoreboard ticking over with quick singles until the skipper was run out for 17.
South Africa whip Pakistan
Laura Wolvaardt smacked a crucial 53 as South Africa whipped Pakistan by 17 runs to make only their second semifinals.
The Proteas posted 136 for six thanks to a late flurry from 20-year-old Wolvaardt, who took four fours from the final eight balls of the innings.
And with Pakistan falling short with 119 for five, South Africa earned a third successive win to join India in securing a place in Thursday’s semi-finals.
A centurion against Thailand, Lizelle Lee (4) didn’t last long as Diana Baig took the edge and struck in her first over for the third game running. (Source: ICC-Media)
