England’s progression to the last four is assured before Saturday’s final group game against New Zealand. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Host England became the first team to qualify for the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup semifinals with a group match to spare after beating West Indies by 38 runs at a sweltering Lord’s on Wednesday.

Both former champions entered the contest unbeaten, but Danni Wyatt-Hodge batted England out of West Indies’ reach with a 65 off 42 balls. Wyatt-Hodge is now the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 193 runs at an average of 65.

West Indies can still reach the semifinals if it beats winless Ireland in its final group-stage match on Saturday.

On the hottest June day ever recorded in Britain, the evening match began in 35 degrees Celsius, with the on-field temperature reaching 41 C. England posted an imposing 186 for 7, the highest women’s T20 total at Lord’s and the second highest by either a men’s or women’s side at the venue.

No team has successfully chased 187 in a Women’s T20 World Cup, and West Indies was restricted to 148 for 5. The required run rate climbed to 10 an over after just two overs and, at 69 for 4 in the 11th over, the chase had all but fizzled out despite England producing a sloppy fielding display.

Wyatt-Hodge, who opened the tournament with a century against Sri Lanka, raced to a 32-ball half-century. She survived a missed run-out on 58 and a dropped catch on 59 before eventually being run out for 65 after a mix-up with batting partner Heather Knight. Her innings included eight boundaries.

“I’m happy it was my night tonight,” Wyatt-Hodge said. “That was the hottest I’ve played in here in England. It felt like Dubai a couple of years ago (2024 T20 World Cup). But I enjoyed it, we came out all guns blazing.”

Knight, who was dropped on 14, chipped in with 43 off 26 balls before she, too, was run out.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews was left furious after being given out on review for 14 in the fourth over. UltraEdge showed a spike despite a visible gap between bat and ball, prompting Matthews to argue with the umpire before eventually accepting the decision.

Deandra Dottin fell for 19, caught in the deep, while Shemaine Campbelle was bowled for 20. From there, West Indies appeared to retreat into its shell. Chinelle Henry struck an unbeaten 51 off 30 balls, but her late flourish came with the outcome already beyond doubt.

Henry was dropped on 10, 28 and 45 as England spilled six catches, its most in a Women’s T20 international in the last two years.

Published on Jun 25, 2026