Nat Sciver-Brunt has vowed England will go “toe-to-toe” with Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s.
It has been a one-sided rivalry between the teams recently, with Australia claiming a 16-0 Ashes clean sweep 18 months ago that led to head coach Jon Lewis and captain Heather Knight losing their jobs.
But they go into their latest meeting against their old rivals with a spring in their step after a flawless tournament, thumping South Africa by 40 runs in front of a 21,128 crowd in the semi-final at the Oval.
Australia have also won all six matches to breeze into Sunday’s showpiece, but Sciver-Brunt insisted England will not be taking a backward step as they bid to land a first piece of silverware since 2017.
Asked if this is the most confident they have felt ahead of a showdown against Australia, Sciver-Brunt replied: “Yes. I think so. Certainly a final.
“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.
“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.”
England slipped to 23 for three on a pitch that was being used for a third time but Sciver-Brunt starred in her comeback from aggravating her left calf injury that had sidelined her for England’s last three group-stage games.
She made a majestic 75 off 47 balls, with fellow veteran Knight, who has returned seamlessly to the ranks, vital to the rebuild as she made 58 in a 133-run stand with her successor as England captain.
While South Africa had beaten England at the same stage in 2023 and in the 2025 50-over World Cup, disciplined bowling and an excellent fielding display meant the Proteas subsided to 129 for eight.
“I was really nervous going in and quite emotional about it yesterday; the occasion and what we’ve been able to do as a team,” Sciver-Brunt said. Trying to live up to the three games that I missed and still have an impact as a leader.
“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.
“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.”
South Africa coach Mandla Mashimbyi said: “You’ve got to give credit to England, they were incredible. The two best teams are in the final.”
