Unbeaten England power into U19 Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia

England continued to go untested with another dominant victory in their last Super Six match of the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, this time by 95 runs over the West Indies at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

Going into the match, England needed to repeat what they had done in winning all of their previous matches – win heavily – to guarantee top spot in Group 2. Captain, Grace Scrivens led the charge with a fiery half-century, guiding her side to a total of 179/4 while tournament best bowling figures of 5/12 by Ellie Anderson helped restrict the Windies to 84/8, the victory securing a semi-final against rivals, Australia on Friday.

The other semi-final will be played between Group 1 winners India and New Zealand.

Like they have done all tournament, England elected to bat after winning the toss and the explosive opening duo of Scrivens and Liberty Heap immediately warmed to their task with a brisk 44-run partnership in the powerplay.

Scrivens – who had scores of 45, 24, 51 and 93 going into this clash – was the dominant partner and weighed in with an entertaining 56 that came from 43 balls, including five fours and two sixes.

Heap’s was the first wicket down and only managed 13, but Charis Pavely (29 not out from 16 balls, five fours), Seren Smale (28 not out from 19 balls, three fours) and Niamh Holland (21 off 21, four boundaries) all kept the scorers busy en route to ensuring a challenging total of 179 for four.

As much as they played with intent, they were given a leg-up by lethargic fielding by the West Indies, who dropped catches and missed run-out opportunities, topped off by extras also climbing up to 23.

Captain, Ashmini Munisar, with figures of 2/32 and Asabi Callender (1/28), did their best to stem the tide with the ball, but the malaise ran deep, with the West Indies penalised for slow over rates towards the end of the England innings.

In their batting reply, the Windies’ quickly slumped to 8/2 and never recovered despite Djenaba Joseph’s best efforts which featured an unbeaten 44 (42 balls, six fours) with the bat, the regular fall of wickets though, ensuring a procession between the middle and the pavilion.

Scores in brief:

Toss: England, who elected to bat.

England 179 for 4 in 20 overs (Grace Scrivens 56, Liberty Heap 29, Ashmini Munisar two for 32, Asabi Callender one for 28)

West Indies 84 for 8 in 20 overs (Djenaba Joseph 44, Asabi Callender 17, Ellie Anderson five for 12, Alexa Stonehouse two for 15)

England won by 95 runs.