England became the first team to lock in a semi-final spot at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 as they defeated the West Indies by 38 runs at Lord’s on Wednesday.
It was an assured performance by the hosts, who registered their fourth straight win of the tournament. After Danni Wyatt-Hodge led them to 186/7, England’s bowlers kept a lid on power-packed West Indies line-up to restrict them to 148/5.
While England sit at the top of Group B with eight points, West Indies, who were also unbeaten going into the match, have to win their last group game against Ireland to stay in control of their fate of making the final four.
England make it four in four with a 38-run win over the West Indies, and secure their place in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final.
Electing to field first, West Indies found early success as Chinelle Henry dismissed Amy Jones in the first over of the innings.
The hosts took the early wicket on the chin and launched into attack against a West Indies bowling line-up that struggled to find the right line and length. Wyatt-Hodge led the charge for England with an impressive 65 off 42 balls, which was studded with eight boundaries.
England’s top and middle order delivered on the day and rallied around the in-form Wyatt-Hodge. Alice Capsey chipped in with 28 while Heather Knight, who was dropped on 14 by Hayley Matthews, made West Indies pay as she struck a 26-ball 43.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge led England’s charge with the bat with a knock of
On a flat batting track, the English batters put in a solid performance, pressing on relentlessly and keeping the pressure on West Indies. After scoring 86 runs in the first 10 overs, they added 100 runs in second half.
Though West Indies run out Wyatt-Hodge and packed off power hitters Freya Kemp and Danielle Gibson early, England’s lower order knocked off 24 runs in the last two overs to take them over the 180-mark.
Save Aaliyah Alleyne, who went wicketless, all the West Indian bowlers went for over eight runs an over. Off-spinner Ashmini Munisar was the most successful, with figures of 2/42 in her four overs.
Outstanding awareness from Campbelle | Women’s T20WC 2026
Brilliant awareness from Shemaine Campbelle produces a superb run-out of Heather Knight at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
For the West Indies to scale a target of 187, they needed at least one of their top three to fire. Captain Matthews, Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle have the shots and the power to take the game away from the opposition.
It was England that drew first blood as Linsey Smith dismissed Matthews in the fourth over.
There was a glimmer of hope as Dottin welcomed Charlie Dean into the attack with two fours and a six. But the stand-in English captain won that duel as she had Dottin slog a faster ball to long on.
Dean has the last laugh against Dottin | Women’s T20WC 2026
After being smashed for two fours and one six by Deandra Dottin, Charlie Dean hits back with her wicket at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Campbelle, who had scored a match-winning knock against New Zealand, came up short against England as she was clean bowled by Sophie Ecclestone for 20.
Reduced to 64/3, West Indies struggled to keep pace and were hemmed in by some smart bowling by England. Though Jahzara Claxton and Chinelle Henry strung a 63 runs partnership for the fifth wicket, they used up 53 balls and never really got the burst of acceleration to make a match of it.
Henry’s unbeaten 51, with the help of four fours and two sixes, was the only highlight of a lukewarm batting show by the West Indies.
