England, West Indies duel at Lord's with semis in sight

England boast a 22-10 record over West Indies in women's T20Is and have won 16 of their last 17 meetings. West Indies suffered a 3-0 whitewash in England last year.

However, in T20 World Cups, West Indies hold a 4-3 edge. Most significantly, they knocked England out in the group stage of the 2024 World Cup in Dubai.

Two years on, England have won three from three again with a semifinal spot in sight. West Indies are also unbeaten. A win on Wednesday will make them the first team to qualify for the semifinals.

For England, this is about erasing bitter memories and sustaining a smooth campaign. Sophia Dunkley seamlessly replaced the injured Nat Sciver-Brunt and earned Player of the Match against Scotland.

West Indies haven't been as clinical, struggling against Scotland and Sri Lanka. Stafanie Taylor rescued them on both occasions, but they need more from Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin, who has misfired so far.

The match is at Lord's, which also hosts the final. After a spicy Test pitch earlier this month, the surface will be under scrutiny.

When: Wednesday, June 24 at 6:30 PM Local | 11 PM IST

What to expect: Hot day, no rain. Average first innings score in eight women's T20s since 2025 is 129, but average winning score is 162. In the last women's T20I here in 2024, England defended 155. The slope will aid seam movement and spin.

England: Sciver-Brunt remains unfit. England are unlikely to change their lineup. The top order faces a challenge from Matthews with the ball.

Probable XI: Amy Jones (wk), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson, Charlotte Dean (c), Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell

West Indies: Ashmini Munisar replaced Qiana Joseph against Sri Lanka, but Joseph's left-arm spin could trouble England's right-heavy lineup. West Indies hope she can replicate her 2024 onslaught that knocked England out.

Probable XI: Hayley Matthews (c), Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Jahzara Claxton, Chinelle Henry, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack

• Lord's will host four matches at this World Cup. It has hosted only three women's T20Is, including the 2009 final.
• Lauren Bell has two wickets this tournament but 13 in 9 T20s at Lord's with an economy of 5.90.

"I think it's massive for our batters to get up to those totals… learning how to chase higher scores and also set them, it was brilliant." – Charlotte Dean, England's stand-in skipper