Last Updated on 2 hours ago by Charbel Coorey
Nat Sciver-Brunt, fresh off a classic innings in the semi-final against South Africa, believes England must not take a backwards step in Sunday’s T20 World Cup Final against Australia. The captain struck a magnificent 75 off 47 balls after the hosts fell to 23/3, guiding her team to 169/5. It was a fantastic performance in her first innings back after recovering from a calf injury.
England were then far too good with the ball, limiting Laura Wolvaardt’s team to just 129/8. Every bowler (except Dani Gibson who bowled just the one over) took at least one wicket, with Charlie Dean’s respectable economy of 7.75 the most expensive.
Nat Sciver-Brunt confident that England can take Australia all the way
England have a score to settle against Australia. Coach Jon Lewis and captain Heather Knight lost their jobs 18 months ago after a nightmare 16-0 loss in the Ashes down under. Sunday’s final is a great opportunity to right those wrongs.
“The vibe we have created as a group throughout this competition has allowed us to feel confident in ourselves. We are looking forward to that battle at Lord’s,” Sciver-Brunt said following the 40-run win at The Oval.
“The way we have gone about our cricket in this tournament is planned out and the way we can beat them. Australia are a world-class side who have had huge success in the last few years, in different Ashes series home and away. Standing up and going toe-to-toe with them is the way forward.”
A strong crowd of 21,128 witnessed a strong English display despite a shaky start. Along with Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight hit an important 58 off 47 balls to ensure the hosts put a solid total on the board.
However, England will need to go up a level against an Australian side that is firing on all cylinders. Ellyse Perry is enjoying her best T20 World Cup to date, while the bowling attack has limited all opponents so far.
“We probably didn’t start the game as well as we wanted to. Heather and I knew we had a big job to do and we used all of our experience,” said the England captain,
“We’ve got a great understanding of each other’s games and the overall plan of where we needed to go as a side. To share it with her has been years in the making of us experiencing what we have in our careers and England through the years of ups and downs that we’ve had. It was a really special moment for us both.”
The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup Final will take place from 3:30pm local time at Lord’s on Sunday 5 July. A warm and partly cloudy day is forecast with no chance of rain.
