Wyatt-Hodge, Knight star as England storm into semis

Opponent: West Indies, group stage at Lord’s. Result: England won by 38 runs – 186/7 vs 148 all out. Significance: England became first side to confirm semi-final qualification. West Indies must beat Ireland to qualify. On a scorching evening at Lord's, where temperatures hit 34 degrees Celsius just before the toss, Wyatt-Hodge scored a 42-ball 65 and was well supported by Heather Knight's 43 off 26 deliveries. In their defense, England's bowlers tied West Indies down, with spinners Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith sharing four wickets between them. For West Indies, Chinelle Henry and Jahzara Claxton resisted stubbornly in a 63-run stand for the fifth wicket, with Henry remaining unbeaten on 51. Danni Wyatt-Hodge: 65 off 45 balls, 8 fours. Reached 32-ball fifty in 12th over. Followed her century vs Sri Lanka in the opening game. Heather Knight: Quickfire 43. Added 40 with Wyatt-Hodge in 4 overs. Key stands: Wyatt-Hodge + Alice Capsey put on 66 for 3rd wicket. England total: 186/7 – highest WT20I score at Lord’s. Henry let out an almighty roar when she struck with the fifth ball of the match. It was a fuller one outside off stump with a hint of away swing which lured a drive from Amy Jones and found the edge, looping to Afy Fletcher at short third. But Henry conceded 17 runs off her next over as Wyatt-Hodge settled in with a pull through midwicket and a top edge which beat Fletcher. Offspinner Ashmini Munisar entered the attack and responded to Sophia Dunkley's reverse sweep for four with a fuller ball next - too full for Dunkley's attempted sweep as she was pinned lbw. Despite the early falls of wicket, though, Wyatt-Hodge and Alice Capsey managed to outfox the field and take England to their best powerplay of the tournament so far at 57 for 2. Powerplay chaos: England 57/2 after 6 overs. Amy Jones out first over, Sophia Dunkley LBW. Fielding issues: Two run outs, including Knight run out by Shemaine Campbelle. “At least three other occasions” England could’ve been run out. Frenetic but effective: Times called it “slightly frenetic batting display” with poor shot selection, but still a record total. Heat: Played on a “record-breaking day of heat” at Lord’s. Bottom line: Wyatt-Hodge’s second big knock of the tournament + Knight’s cameo set 186, the bowlers defended it comfortably, and England locked up a semi-final spot. WI now face a must-win vs Ireland.