Wyatt-Hodge smashes unbeaten 89 as England race into semis

England's dominant run in the T20 World Cup continued with a commanding nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in their final Group 2 match at The Oval. Having already secured top position in their group and a place in the semi-finals, England showcased their formidable form by comfortably chasing down New Zealand's total of 163-6 with 16 balls to spare.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge was the standout performer, smashing an unbeaten 89 off 53 balls. This exceptional innings propelled her to become the tournament's leading run-scorer and underscored England's momentum. She was ably supported by Sophia Dunkley, who remained not out on 49, forming an unbroken 128-run partnership that sealed the victory. The win extended England's unbeaten streak in the competition.

Defending champions New Zealand, who won the title in 2024, appeared a shadow of their former selves. Despite a brief cameo from Sophie Devine, who scored 30 off 14 balls in her final international appearance, New Zealand struggled to build momentum. England's bowlers were effective, particularly in a spell where they took three wickets in four balls without conceding a run, ultimately restricting the White Ferns to 163-6.

England's semi-final opponents will be determined on Sunday, with India or South Africa emerging as the most likely contenders. The semi-final match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday or Thursday at The Oval, a venue where England's women's team boasts an undefeated record in 11 matches. Victory in the semi-final would propel them to the final at Lord's, where they have the opportunity to claim their first World Cup title since 2017.

While England was expected to progress from a relatively easier group, their performance over the past two weeks has been exemplary. With Wyatt-Hodge in such scintillating form, having set a new record for the most runs in a single women's T20 World Cup, the team appears poised for a strong challenge. Despite facing tougher tests ahead, this World Cup presents a significant opportunity for England to end their title drought.

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She crashed through or over the covers whenever New Zealand offered a hint of width and capitalised on a dropped catch on nought and a missed stumping on 13.