England stay cool in the heat to secure semi final spot

England reached the semi-finals of their home T20 World Cup as they defeated the West Indies by 38 runs in the roasting heat at Lord’s.

After 12 days on the road, international women’s cricket even venturing to the North for more than one match, the T20 World Cup reached the capital, coinciding with record breaking June temperatures.

(To the Aussies complaining about the weather at the start of the tournament, I hope you’re happy now…)

Ice towels and umbrellas were deployed to deal with a heatwave which had brought many sectors in the country to a halt over the past 24 hours. Batting first, England’s initial solution to combat the fatiguing weather was simply finding the boundary.

Amy Jones struck glorious and nonchalant back-to-back boundaries before being dismissed cheaply in relatively classic Amy Jones fashion, leaving England a wicket down in the first over. Sophia Dunkley, who was in at three, didn’t survive long either, reaching 14 before being trapped LBW by Ashmini Munisar, Dunkley not even considering reviewing it.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who in an England Cricket social media video yesterday stated, “I love the heat, bring on the heat” looked at ease in the middle at Lord’s. With the thermometer reading 34 degrees Celsius, Wyatt-Hodge batted in temperatures far below her self-stated limit of 40 degrees.

Much like England’s flow of runs, the unnecessary pyrotechnic flames persisted boundary after boundary, scolding the 14,279 in attendance, many of whom were desperately hunting for a shady perch with the Mound Stand and Tavern Stand bathing in the still blistering evening sun.

The introduction of Alice Capsey seemed to propel England’s innings. It wasn’t a performance for the ages, like some of her innings at Lord’s, but there was a keenness to sprint between the wickets, seeking out every opportunity. Alongside Wyatt-Hodge’s boundary searching, this ensured a strong period to take England past the halfway stage.

Batting at the death, a skill which was displayed exceptionally by England against Scotland at Headingley, wasn’t quite as problematic for the opposition today. Wyatt-Hodge was run out on 65 (which was probably a consequence of the West Indies’ somewhat poor fielding lulling England into a false sense of security.) Hayley Matthews got rid of Freya Kemp hastily and Heather Knight suffered an embarrassing dismissal, rocketing off for a single when she had not executed the shot, wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle whipping the bails off.

Finding the gap twice reverse sweeping, Charlie Dean helped push England to wrap up on 186/7 which, despite strength in the West Indies’ top order, still felt enough at a ground that has dominated headlines about poor pitches in recent times.

When the West Indies innings began, the main point of discussion from the game quickly became the dismissal of West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews, who incredibly begrudgingly departed for 14.

Gesticulating at both the on field umpires and seemingly saying a few words to the England players as she trudged off, Matthews was completely adamant that the snick showed by DRS was not contact with ball on bat, Amy Jones taking the catch behind the stumps.

Matthews will likely face harsh disciplinary action as a result of her response but, burdening the responsibility of leading the side, she knew the importance of her place at the crease.

It became clear quite quickly that the result was inevitable as the semi final contenders slipped to 69/4 immediately after the halfway drinks, with Dean bowling Jannillea Glasgow for six. The West Indies’ frustrations with officials continued with Jahzara Claxton challenging the initial decision to not signal a no-ball off what was quite clearly an illegal delivery from Dean.

Reaching 100 in the 16^th over, the power arrived too late as they muscled 13 from Sophie Ecclestone’s final over, who had previously just gone for nine from her three overs.

Claxton’s was out chipping to square, departing for 21, having faced 20 dot balls in her innings, another frustration of hers. The West Indies accumulated 54 dot balls, equivalent to almost half the innings and far from ideal if you’re chasing 180+.  

This was meant to be England’s biggest challenge so far, but a 38-run win gave the tournament hosts a victory with the same margin as their evening win over Scotland last weekend. With a (so far) disappointing New Zealand next up on Saturday night, it may ultimately be the semi-finals where England are truly put under the pump for the first time this tournament.