Nat Sciver-Brunt was delighted to be able to overcome pre-match nerves and guide England to the Women’s T20 World Cup final with a ‘close to complete’ 40-run victory over South Africa.
Sciver-Brunt, who suffered a calf injury during their group-stage victory over Ireland and was ruled out of the following three matches, returned to play a match-winning role in England’s historic semi-final success.
England’s captain top-scored with 75 from 47 deliveries to help the hosts recover from 23-3 to post 169-5 at The Oval, putting on a 133-run partnership – a record for a Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final – with Heather Knight.
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Nat Sciver-Brunt hit 75 runs for England in their semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup against South Africa
South Africa’s chase fell well short despite a half-century from Tazmin Brits, closing on 129-8 in front of a record crowd of over 21,000 fans, with Sciver-Brunt proud to have guided England to a World Cup final on home soil.
“I was very nervous going in and I suppose quite emotional about it [returning] – the occasion and what we’ve been able to do as a team,” Sciver-Brunt explained in her post-match press conference.
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England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt gives her reaction after they beat South Africa in the semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup
“I suppose trying to live up to the three games I missed and still have an impact as a leader and as a captain. Managed to put those thoughts to bed, before the warm-up. Just so excited and proud of what I’ve been able to do today.
“Heather [Knight] and I have shared some brilliant partnerships throughout our careers. We’ve got a great understanding between each other’s games and I suppose the overall plan of where we need to go as a side whilst batting.
“To share it with her has been years in the making of us experiencing what we have in our careers in England, through the years of ups and downs that we’ve had. When you sit down and think about it after it’s all said and done, a really special moment.”
Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight both posted half-centuries in England’s T20 World Cup semi-final win
South Africa looked well-placed to chase down 170 after putting on a 43-run opening partnership before England’s bowlers battled back, with Lauren Bell (2-28) and Charlie Dean (2-31) taking two wickets each and the hosts impressing in the field.
“I guess we were showing glimpses of what we can do and probably not quite putting it together,” Sciver-Brunt added. “Take out the power play that we had with the bat, you can say that was pretty close to complete.
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England’s Heather Knight gives her reaction after they beat South Africa in the semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup
“I guess the ebbs and flows of a knockout game, and the way that we handled different situations, I think that was really up there.”
Can England go toe-to-toe with ‘world class’ Australia?
England won the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup on home soil in 2009 but have lost their other three finals, each of them to Australia in 2012, 2014 and 2018. But Sciver-Brunt is confident of being able to challenge the six-time world champions for victory.
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Highlights of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final between Australia and West Indies at The Oval
“I guess when you see a home World Cup in the diary, you always imagine yourself there at the final and with a chance to lift the trophy – that drive has always been there,” Sciver-Brunt explained. “It’s obviously a great common goal to have as a team.
“I think the way that we’ve gone about our cricket in this tournament is planned out and the way that we can beat them. [Australia]. Obviously, they’ve got a really long and skillful batting line-up. You don’t just need to take the top-order wickets, you need to keep going.
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Tash Farrant and Nasser Hussain explain why they believe England can come out on top against Australia, despite being underdogs in Sunday’s Women’s T20 World Cup final
“I think our bowlers are fully equipped to be able to deal with anything that’s thrown at us. Australia are a world-class side that have had huge success in the last few years. I think standing up and going toe-to-toe with them is the way.”
How to watch the Women’s T20 World Cup final for free
England take on Australia in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday at Lord’s, with coverage live from 2.30pm on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix (3.30pm).
Everyone can stream the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup live for FREE – and without a subscription – on the Sky Sports App. All you have to do is download the latest version of the Sky Sports App onto your phone or tablet and log in.
Download the Sky Sports App on: iPhone & iPad or Android. Watch every ball of the Women’s T20 World Cup exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW.
