England propelled themselves into the semi-finals of their home T20 World Cup with a 38-run win against West Indies on Wednesday evening at Lord’s.

A half-century from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and a laboured 43 from Heather Knight helped England put 186 on the board, although the hosts’ effort was not without its nervy moments: Knight ran out first Wyatt-Hodge then herself, while the Freya Kemp-Dani Gibson engine room failed to ignite this time as England finished seven wickets down.

But Charlie Dean – once again standing in as skipper as Nat Sciver-Brunt battles a calf injury – proved calm under pressure, twice reverse-sweeping for four in the final over before chiming in with two wickets as West Indies fell well short.

West Indies were England’s bogey team in the 2024 World Cup, knocking them out after England put down five catches, but this time it was the team in maroon who stumbled in the field. Even their captain, Hayley Matthews, got in on the act, shelling a chance at extra-cover to hand Knight a life on 14.

Matthews then found herself at the heart of a controversial decision when she was adjudged caught behind by the TV umpire, Nimali Perera, despite Perera stating on air that she could see a clear gap between bat and ball. Matthews remonstrated with the on-field umpires, who had originally ruled her not out, but had to depart for 14.

From there, the West Indies innings gradually petered out. Deandra Dottin launched one huge six over long-on before being caught by Alice Capsey trying to repeat the feat, while Sophie Ecclestone had the in-form Shemaine Campbelle bowled missing a sweep shot. Jahzara Claxton limped her way to 21 from 34 balls, before finally being put out of her misery in the penultimate over when she slapped a catch straight to Linsey Smith at point.

They never looked like getting the runs, but England will feel some frustration at not being able to finish West Indies off: Chinelle Henry was put down in the deep on 28, and slammed Smith for two sixes in the 20th over as she brought up an eleventh-hour half-century. In a semi-final, these things will matter – but for now, time to celebrate getting there.

West Indies can still qualify for the semis but now need to beat Ireland on Saturday to guarantee their spot. England face New Zealand later on the same day: the reigning champions need to hope West Indies lose and then win big against England to have any chance of progressing.

It is unclear whether Sciver-Brunt will be fit to return for that match. Dean reported on Tuesday that she was “tracking well” and she was spotted in the nets at Lord’s, but also looked to have her leg well strapped. In any case, given Dean’s clear-headed management thus far, England may now prefer to save Sciver-Brunt up for their semi-final rather than risk her in a low-stakes game.

On the other side of the draw, Sunday’s clash between Australia and India will be crucial in determining who England might face in their semi. Australia currently top the group, while India and South Africa face a nervous few days as they fight it out for the fourth semi-final spot.

As well as each other, both teams were battling the unprecedented 35-degree heat. On a day in which St John’s Wood, London was hotter than St John’s, Antigua, even West Indies’ 12th carried drinks out under an ICC-branded umbrella. Three thousand ticket holders had heeded government advice to avoid all non-essential travel and failed to show, although that still left a crowd of 14,000 in the stands.

After being put in to bat, England enjoyed a fruitful powerplay despite the early loss of Amy Jones, who struck two delectable boundaries from Henry’s opening over but then prodded her straight to short third.

Wyatt-Hodge was supported by a nifty 28-run cameo from Capsey, and a longer partnership with Knight, who relied on her trademark sweeps and reverse sweeps. But it was Wyatt-Hodge herself, who struck 65 from 42 balls and leapfrogged Scotland’s Darcey Carter to become the leading tournament run-scorer, who played the key innings. It wasn’t quite the blockbuster effort of her opening-night spectacular against Sri Lanka – she struggled at times to connect cleanly, and failed to clear the boundary rope once – but on a slower pitch on a sweltering hot night, it proved the winning hand.