Not many women have stands or gates named after them. Nat Sciver-Brunt has one.
That stand is right here at the Oval, where she produced a captain’s knock (75, 47b, 11×4, 1×6) to first lift England out of deep trouble against South Africa and then into the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup. The Proteas, chasing 170, could only manage 129 for eight.
This was Sciver-Brunt’s first match in the tournament after retiring hurt against Ireland a couple of weeks ago. That the Englishwomen did not miss her batting is creditable, no doubt, but on Thursday they needed all her class and experience. She did not let them down.
With England reeling at 23 for three, after some fine bowling up front by Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail, Sciver-Brunt needed someone to stay with her and steady the ship. There could not have been a better partner than Heather Knight to drop anchor.
Knight (58, 47b, 6×4, 1×6) and Sciver-Brunt put on 133 for the fourth wicket to ensure their team had enough runs for their bowlers to have a crack at the Proteas.
Earlier, Ismail had Amy Jones trying hard to smash the first ball of the second over, which was wide and short, only to slash it straight to Annerie Dercksen at point. Then Danni Wyatt-Hodge, the tournament’s leading batter, was bowled through the gate by Kapp.
In the very next over, Ismail brought the ball back beautifully to trap Alice Capsey in front. The stage was set for England’s Captain Fantastic, and she took charge.
South Africa’s chase began brightly, with skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits adding 43 in just over five overs. But once the skipper fell to a superb catch by Sophie Ecclestone off Linsey Smith, the innings fell apart.
Only Brits (51, 45b, 6×4) managed to get past 20. That was the miserable tale for South Africa.
Published on Jul 03, 2026
