The 2016 champions, the West Indies, under the leadership of Hayley Matthews, were up against the inaugural champions, England, under the leadership of the stand-in skipper, Charlie Dean, on 24th June 2026, at the iconic Lord’s, London, in the 22nd match of the ongoing 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Both these sides are the only unbeaten sides in the ongoing edition in Group B, and are eyeing the 1st berth for the semi-final. The last time these two sides were up against each other in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was when Hayley Matthews-led West Indies landed a knockout punch to Heather Knight’s England in Dubai in October 2024, booking themselves a spot in the semi-finals.
The West Indian skipper Hayley Matthews won the toss and opted to bowl first. Amy Jones got England off to a flying start, smashing a couple of boundaries; however, Chenille Henry had the last laugh, dismissing the wicket-keeper batter, providing the first breakthrough for the West Indies in the first over of the innings.
Sophia Dunkley joined Danielle Wyatt-Hodge at the crease, and the pair counter-attacked with a 30-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Ashmini Munisar picked up the wicket of Sophia Dunkley (14 off 11 balls) to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side in the 4th over of the innings. The home side continued to land counter-punches with Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (65 off 42 balls) finding the gaps with ease at one end.
She stitched substantial partnerships of 66 runs for the 3rd wicket alongside Alice Capsey (28 off 23 balls) and another 40-run stand for the 4th wicket alongside Heather Knight (43 off 26 balls). England finished with a strong total of 186/7 in their quota of 20 overs. Asmini Munisar (4-0-42-2), skipper Hayley Matthews (4-0-32-1) and Aaliyah Alleyne (4-0-27-0) were impressive with the ball for the West Indies.
Chasing a stiff total of 187, the West Indian openers Deandra Dottin and skipper Hayley Matthews got their side off to a steady start with a 21-run opening stand. However, a controversial caught-behind call left the West Indian skipper fuming as she walked back to the pavilion in the 4th over of the innings, providing the first breakthrough for England.
The wicket-keeper batter Shemaine Campbelle joined Deandra Dottin at the crease, and we witnessed a brief Dottin (19 off 11 balls) fireworks en route to a quick-fire 25-run stand for the 2nd wicket, before she was sent back by the stand-in skipper Charlie Dean on the penultimate ball of the powerplay, providing the 2nd breakthrough for her side.
The Hayley Matthews-led side was reduced to 69/4 in the 11th over of the run chase. Chenille Henry joined Jahzara Claxton at the crease with 116 runs required off the last 9 overs. The pair struggled to put the ball in the gaps and find the boundaries to keep the required rate in check. The 20-year-old youngster, Jahzara Claxton (21 off 34 balls), tried her level best to switch gears, but it wasn’t to be for her.
The 5th wicket stand was worth 63 runs, but it eventually wasn’t enough for the West Indies to get over the line as they were restricted to 148/5 in their quota of overs, falling 38 runs short of the target. The victory meant that the home side became the first team to seal a spot in the semi-final from Group B. Chenille Henry 51* (30 balls) remained unbeaten, registering her maiden T20I half-century.
Stand-in skipper Charlie Dean (4-0-31-2), Sophie Ecclestone (4-0-22-1) and Lauren Bell (4-0-20-1) were sensational with the ball for England, while Linsey Smith (4-0-35-1) played her part with the ball.
Danielle Wyatt-Hodge was awarded the Player of the Match for scoring her 4th T20 World Cup half-century (65 off 42 balls) in the challenging heat. Her knock included 8 boundaries. England maintains their unbeaten streak, while also securing a spot in the semis with a game in hand.
Loves all things female cricket