<\/p>\n
Cricketer-turned-broadcaster Alexandra Hartley has showered high praise on the England Women<\/a><\/strong>‘s side ahead of their 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa at the Oval on Thursday, July 2.<\/p>\n England made the semifinals, finishing unbeaten in Group 2, winning five of their five matches. They have looked dominant in all games despite the injury scare to skipper Nat-Sciver Brunt<\/a><\/strong>, which forced her to miss the final three group stage games.<\/p>\n England have been eliminated in the semi-finals of two of the last three World Cups, while also failing to make the knockouts in 2024. They have not lifted the trophy since winning the inaugural tournament in 2009. Hartley expressed confidence in the team, despite concern over England’s recent performances under pressure, where they have been found lacking.\u00a0<\/p>\n “They look good. I don’t want to put the mockers on them. I am going into the semi-finals nervous, because we haven’t seen them under pressure and it’s where England have crumbled and failed over the last three or four years, but I am very confident,” Hartley told BBC Test Match Special.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n For the Lionesses, opening batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge<\/a><\/strong> has been the most prolific batter, standing out as the tournament’s leading run-getter. She has scored 282 runs in five matches, striking at 153.26, and set the tournament alight with a stellar 105 not out in the opening game against Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n She has followed it up with two half-centuries, including a match-winning 89 not out in the final group game against New Zealand. Hartley stated that she has been impressed with the team and lauded their bowling attack. Left-arm spinner\u00a0Sophie Ecclestone<\/a><\/strong> leads the way with the wickets, having picked up eight scalps in five games.<\/p>\n “I have been so impressed with them. They are the best [England] team I have seen for a good few years. They seem to have everything covered. I think they have one of the best bowling attacks in the world and with the bat, Danni Wyatt-Hodge is in the form of her life,” said Hartley.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Proteas beat England in the semifinal of the 2025 ODI World Cup, when the two teams last met in a tournament semi-final. There has yet to be a formal update on whether Sciver-Brunt would make the team for the clash, as she recovers from a calf tear.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n