England and India are both left frustrated as the first T20 in their five match series is abandoned because of rain during the innings break, after India had set England 190 to win at Chester-le-Street.
MATCH REPORT: First England-India T20 abandoned because of rain
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A punishing heatwave affected many parts of the country during the last week of the month.
Published On 1 Jul 20261 Jul 2026
Last month was provisionally the warmest June in England since records began, as well as the second-warmest for the United Kingdom, according to figures published by the country’s Met Office.
Rare extreme heat warnings were issued for several days last month, with “exceptionally warm overnight temperatures”, the weather agency said on Wednesday.
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England registered an average temperature of 17.1C (62.78 degrees Fahrenheit) last month – the highest since records began in 1884.
“The exceptional warmth was driven by an intense and record-breaking heatwave at the end of the month,” the Met Office said in a statement.
The previous record of 16.9C (62.4F) was set in June 2025, nearly 3C (5.4F) above the long-term average. It means England’s top three warmest Junes since data began in 1884 have all occurred this decade, with the third being in 2023.
A punishing heatwave affected many parts of the country during the last week of the month, with temperatures topping 30C (86F) at some places in the UK for seven days in a row from June 21-27.
A peak of 37.7C (99.86F) was provisionally reached at Lingwood in Norfolk on June 26 – the highest maximum temperature ever recorded for the month.
This was more than 2C higher (3.6F) than the previous June record of 35.6C (96.08F), set in 1957 at Camden Square in London and equalled in 1976 at Mayflower Park in Southampton.
Last month also saw a provisional new June record for the highest overnight minimum, with temperatures at Cardiff Bute Park dropping no lower than 23.5C (74.3F) on June 25.
More than 1,000 schools and nurseries were closed during the heatwave, and there was disruption to public transport with overhead wires and signalling strained because of the heat.
Critics felt the country was ill-prepared to deal with the sweltering heat. Climate experts have urged the UK government to adapt its infrastructure to warming summers, with a surge in demand for fans and air conditioners, which remain rare in British homes.
The heatwave has also affected many countries in Europe, including France, Germany, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Austria and western Ukraine, with more than 1,000 deaths linked to the scorching heat reported in France alone.
A group of scientists blamed climate change for the dangerous weather blazing across Europe. In a report by the World Weather Attribution, experts warned that the phasing out of fossil fuels is essential to reverse the extreme weather trend.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been passed fit to return from injury for Thursday’s T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
Sciver-Brunt, 33, who has not played since England’s second match of the tournament against Ireland after a recurrence of her calf issue, batted in the nets again on Wednesday morning.
She also trained on Tuesday at Lord’s and England have deemed her fit enough to return as her side attempts to win a World Cup for the first time since 2017.
“We are confident I am fully fit,” Sciver-Brunt told BBC Test Match Special.
Sciver-Brunt, who has used rare magnetic resonance therapy to help regain her fitness, is likely to replace Sophia Dunkley in England’s XI.
Batter Dunkley was seen in conversation with coach Charlotte Edwards shortly before Sciver-Brunt emerged to speak to the media.
While Sciver-Brunt batted for half an hour on Wednesday, appearing relatively free and able to come down the pitch to spinners, there are obvious risks involved.
She worked with England’s physio indoors at the start of the session but did not do any running or fielding drills outdoors.
There are less than 72 hours before Sunday’s final.
“We have tested it enough to be comfortable,” she said. “What will happen out on the pitch will happen.”
Assuming she comes through, Sciver-Brunt’s presence for the latter stages is a significant boost to England.
She is their best batter and, though Charlie Dean has stood up successfully in her absence, their captain. Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight and Danni Wyatt-Hodge are the only players remaining from their last World Cup win.
England have lost their last two World Cup semi-finals against South Africa – at last year’s 50-over World Cup and the T20 version in 2023 – but go into Thursday’s match at The Oval as favourites, having progressed through the group stage unbeaten. They have also never lost a women’s international at The Oval.
South Africa have been unconvincing at times through this tournament but have reached the past three World Cup finals across formats as they chase their first World Cup win.
And captain Laura Wolvaardt admitted her batting line-up – blessed with powerful strokemakers such as Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp and Wolvaardt – has not been at “100%” and it has been “frustrating” they were not able to win games more comfortably.
“We have chatted about it, that if we do find ourselves in a position to kill the game earlier we are blessed with a lot of power in our line-up,” she said.
“We have that opportunity to go a bit earlier. Maybe tomorrow at The Oval suits us a bit better.”
Wolvaardt also swerved a question on whether she would be happy for Sciver-Brunt to have a substitute fielder, should the England captain injure her calf again.
Cricket’s laws state substitutes are allowed to replace players who suffer an injury during a match, rather than an issue carried in.
“As a captain it is always hard to plan for her,” Wolvaardt added.
“She is a world-class batter and is able to hit really weird areas.
“Setting a field is quite hard for her. Hopefully we are able to keep her quiet.”
Follow updates from the round of 32 clash – including the build-up, analysis and live text commentary of the game.
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“We have the chance to do the impossible.”
After Mexico brushed aside Ecuador to reach the last 16 of the World Cup, some of their celebrating fans already had an eye on their potential next opponents.
England face a difficult test in their last-32 tie with DR Congo later on Wednesday but, should they overcome that, it will not get any easier.
That is because next up would be a match with Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium – a mouthwatering fixture for many football fans, but a daunting one for England supporters.
Mexico have never got beyond the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but their impressive displays at this tournament – four games, four wins, eight goals scored and no goals conceded – have their fans dreaming of what could be.
“England have the Ballon d’Or favourite Harry Kane leading that team,” one fan said.
“You have players like Jude Bellingham, and it is scary, but with the momentum we have there is the chance to do the impossible.”
Based on their performances at this World Cup and their record at the Azteca, Mexico going far should not feel like an impossible target.
Their competitive record at this stadium is 69 wins from 88 games, with 17 draws and only two defeats. They are also unbeaten in 10 World Cup games there.
Admittedly, the opposition they have faced at he Azteca is not always of the highest quality but, nevertheless, it will be a daunting task for whoever faces them in the last 16.
“The whole nation is behind them – we’ve seen the scenes,” former Australia and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said on ITV.
“If it will be England going down to Mexico, it’s going to be like stepping into a different World Cup for them.”
KATIE Price has wildly promised the England football team that they can see her NAKED if they win the next World Cup game.
On Wednesday at 5pm, England will play their next match against DR Congo – and now they’ve got a bit of incentive thanks to Katie.
Former glamour model Katie has promised the lads that if they get win the game, she will strip off and give them a real treat.
Appearing on Kiss radio this week, Katie made the bold commitment while live on air.
Host Chloe Burrows asked Katie: “If you were to storm into the changing rooms at half time and give England a bit of a talking to what would you say?”
Katie replied: “First of all I’d walk in and go, oi oi! Oi oi boys, get them legs out!”
Chloe added: “And then anything else or just leave it at that?”
“You could take your shirts off as well,” Katie added.
Chloe then asked Katie: “Can you make us a kiss breakfast commitment and finish this phrase, ‘If England win I will…’.”
Katie said: “Oh! What would I do?
“I would do a naked shoot.
“And I’d cover my private parts with the kiss sign.”
This comes after Katie’s husband Lee Andrews, who was recently detained in the notorious Al Awir prison in the United Arab Emirates city, claimed he’d adopted all five of Katie’s children.
A representative for Peter Andre, 53 – with whom Katie shares Junior, 21, and Princess, 19 – later blasted his statement as “yet another lie”.
In the Cameo video clip, Lee went on to confes he still wishes to adopt Katie’s eldest child Harvey, 24, whose father is ex-footballer Dwight Yorke.
He said: “I would love to adopt Harvey.”
Lee then flashed the tattoo of Harvey’s name on his hand, which he got despite having never even met him.
Katie and Lee got wed in a whirlwind wedding at the start of the year.
England supporters in the United States have been praised by police for their “excellent” behaviour during the group stage of the World Cup, but domestic incidents are up on recent tournaments.
The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) says there have been no reports of any violence or disorder involving England supporters in America, with just two of five arrests coming at a World Cup match.
But there have been 463 football-related incidents in England and Wales – significantly higher than this stage in Euro 2024 (304) and the 2022 World Cup (291).
The behaviour of Scotland fans in the States has also been praised, though their figures are not included in this report.
“The behaviour of England fans – and of course the Scots – has been excellent throughout the group stages of the World Cup,” chief constable Mark Roberts, head of the UKFPU, said.
“In our pre-briefs we stressed to local law enforcement the positive record of our fans at recent World Cups, and it is great to see that continuing and the fans being policed according to their behaviour, not an outdated reputation.”
All five England supporters arrested have been released by American authorities and referred to the UKFPU.
Of the 463 football-related incidents, 162 have been in licensed premises, while 109 are classed as domestic incidents, often involving family members over the age of 16.
Eighty-eight people have been arrested, which is again up on Euro 2024 (66) and the 2022 World Cup (56).
Many football-related arrests in the UK come under the Public Order Act, including a wide variety of anti-social behaviour, such as swearing, shouting, intimidation and violence.
Before the World Cup began, 1,958 football supporters subject to football banning orders were required to surrender their passports to stop them heading to the World Cup.
THE WORLD CUP is well underway with some of England’s top stars already breaking football records – but where do these guys get to when they aren’t kicking around a ball?
Prior to the 2026 World Cup, the England head coach told the England team to head off on their post-season holidays to either the US or Caribbean so they could get used to the time zone and heat for the World Cup.
The team jetted off to West Palm Beach in Florida and stayed at the luxury Belgrove Resort and Spa.
But each player has also been to a whole host of other spots across the globe – and you might even be surprised by some.
Lapland, Finland
Over Christmas last year the England captain headed to Lapland in Finland with his family.
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His wife, Katie Goodland, shared some snaps on her Instagram showing the family enjoyed dog sledding, spotting reindeer in the snow, heading on fairy light-lit walks among the trees etc.
On one night they even saw the Northern Lights and Kane’s kids enjoyed snowmobiling as well.
In addition, while in Lapland you can head off to Santa Claus Village and send postcards home.
Alternatively, families can have a go at making gingerbread.
Flights to Rovaniemi in October from £22 per way.
Dubai, UAE
Back in January, Jordan Pickford and his wife were spotted flying back from Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates city is well known for its warm climate as well as its architecture such as the Burj Khalifa.
From the city you can also head out to the desert to try sand surfing or dune buggying.
You could fly from the UK to Dubai for £156 per way in July.
Cannes, France
Four weeks ago, Jude posted some snaps of a lavish holiday in Cannes, France, with his 20-year-old brother, Jobe Bellingham.
The duo, along with other friends, enjoyed time on yachts as well as heading to La Mome – a fine dining restaurant that is famous for its foccacia dipped in olive oil and serving up fresh, local seafood.
One of the images appears to show Hôtel Martinez, which is a five-star Art Deco hotel on the Boulevard de la Croisette.
Inside, the hotel has yacht-inspired rooms and boasts a two-star Michelin restaurant.
Rooms cost from around £1,400 a night.
Flights to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport cost from £23 in July.
Dubai, UAE
The pro footballer also recently visited Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
In the city, make sure to visit the Dubai Frame, which is a 150-metre structure with one side framing Old Dubai and the other side framing New Dubai.
You can even walk across a glass bridge on the structure.
You could fly from the UK to Dubai for £156 per way in July.
Lapland UK
Jordan Henderson has previously visited LaplandUK, showing fans you don’t have to travel far to have a magical time.
The midfielder at Brentford enjoyed the experience alongside his family, seeing reindeer and of course visiting Santa.
LaplandUK now has two experiences in the country, with the original in Ascot and a more recently opened site in Manchester.
Tickets to the experience tend to range between £65 and £195 per person, but included in that you get to hang out with the elves and even make your own toy.
Dubai, UAE
While the pro footballer often visits Dubai for warm-weather training camps, Declan Rice also heads on holiday to the popular spot.
And over the years he has visited the city on many occasions, sometimes even with other pros such as Mason Mount.
While in Dubai, make sure to head to some of the city’s beaches such as Kite Beach which is a great spot for watersports as well as beach volleyball.
Alternatively, head to Sunset Beach, which is known for having a more relaxed vibe and being the ideal stop to watch the sunset.
You could fly from the UK to Dubai for £156 per way in July.
Barcelona, Spain
Last year, Marcus Rashford shared a few snaps of a holiday in Barcelona.
The holiday pics make sense considering the star plays as a forward for La Liga club Barcelona.
But Barcelona is a great city to visit – you can head down the famous La Ramblas and spot human statues.
And of course, enjoy some of the local restaurants serving tapas.
The Spanish city is also home to many designs by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí, including the Sagrada Familia – the tallest church in the world, that has been built over the past century.
Flights from the UK to Barcelona cost as little as £15 one-way in July.
Lagos, Nigeria
Saka was born in London to Nigerian parents yet often heads to Nigeria in the summer.
He has previously been seen visiting Lagos and Kwara State.
Lagos is Africa’s largest city and is home to around 24million people.
The coastal city is home to the Nike Art Gallery, which spans across five floors and is home to thousands of contemporary and traditional Nigerian artworks.
Make sure to head to the Lekki Conservation Centre too, where you will find Africa’s longest canopy walkway with wetlands home to monkeys and tropical birds.
And for a beach day, stop by Elegushi Beach where you’ll also find a number of beach clubs and oceanfront restaurants.
One-way flights to Lagos from the UK cost from £263 in July.
Lake Como, Italy
Back in 2024, Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins proposed to Ellie Alderson at the Mandarin Oriental on Lago di Como.
The five-star resort hotel can be found in the village of Blevio, which is on the eastern side of Lake Como.
Across the hotel, you will find nine villas with a total of 75 rooms and suites.
There are also two villas with balconies overlooking the lake and with views of the Alps.
The hotel also has a huge spa with an indoor pool and another infinity pool outside on the edge of the lake.
A room costs from £1,162 per night.
But there are many other nice spots to visit and stay nearby.
For example, just down the road you could stay at Casa Giulietta Caronti, which also boasts views of the lake.
The B&B even has seven new suites with hot tubs inside, costing from just £112 per night.
You’d also be just a few minutes from downtown Como and Cernobbio.
Flights to Milan cost from £15 per way in July.
Estelle Manor, The Cotswolds
Estelle Manor is a Grade II listed country estate and hotel in Oxfordshire – which Watkins recently posted a pic of himself at on Instagram.
The hotel only opened in 2023 but has become well-known for its stylish rooms and Walled Garden.
There are also four restaurants onsite, as well as a kid’s club.
Rooms at the hotel cost from £575 per night.
But if that is outside of your budget, don’t worry as the Cotswolds is home to an abundance of pretty places to stay.
For example, you could head down the road to the Artist’s Residence near South Leigh.
The pretty pub with rooms boasts a thatched roof and dates back to the 16th century.
Inside the rooms feature a whimsical vibe, with minibars and Nespresso coffee machines.
Some rooms even have vaulted ceilings and free-standing bath tubs.
And staying costs a fraction of the price compared to Estelle Manor, with rooms from £153 per night.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France
The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and is the very spot Watkins got married at.
Built between 1907 and 1912, the villa is home to a massive collection of art as well nine themed gardens.
The villa was even designed to mimic the deck of a cruise ship, with visitors able to see the sea whichever side of the villa they are on.
The villa is open to the public to visit adult tickets costing €18 (£15.51) and children’s tickets costing €12 (£10.34).
Flights to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport cost from £23 per way in July.
Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy
In another Instagram post, Ollie Watkins was recently spotted in Positano on the Amalfi Coast.
The town is famous for its pastel-coloured buildings stagger across the cliffs.
When visiting you can head to a number of beach clubs as well.
Make sure to walk along the waterfront and head to the 300-metre beach to soak up the sunshine.
For a quieter spot, drop by Fornillo Beach which is a secluded pebble cove.
Flights to Naples Airport cost from £31 per way in July.
Capri, Italy
The famous footballer was also spotted staying in another luxury Italian hotel – Jumeirah Capri Palace.
Found in Anacapri on the island of Capri, the hotel boasts a unique medical spa as well as a Michelin-starred restaurant.
There are also two pools at the hotel, an outdoor terrace with panoramic views and a fancy wine cellar.
Though, it will set you back around £3,444 per night.
Instead, a short drive away you could stay at Hotel Belvedere e Tre Re, which directly looks over the beach and glistening turquoise water.
And it costs from £216 a night instead of a few grand.
It is also closer to another spot the star was spotted at as well – Da Paolino Lemontrees.
The famous restaurant is known for its tables that sit directly under hundreds of real lemon trees.
Open since the 1970s, the much-loved restaurant often attracts celebs with other notable figures that have dined there including Beyonce and Mariah Carey.
Make sure to visit the dessert room, which has an entire buffet dedicated to all things sweet including traditional Italian desserts and lemon-infused treats.
Flights to Naples Airport cost from £31 per way in July.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan says England need to change direction after a series defeat by New Zealand and believes the ECB hierarchy should approach Andy Flower to take the team forward.
READ MORE: Stokes’ England career ends with NZ series defeat
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England head coach Brendon McCullum says he tired to talk Ben Stokes out of his decision to retire from international cricket following the 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand.
READ MORE: Stokes’ England career ends with NZ series defeat
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When Stokes was away from the England team for the second Test, he played for Durham and said returning to his county rekindled a love for the game. He confirmed he will continue to play domestic cricket.
“Being back at Durham, when I wasn’t playing in the second Test, I found a new lease of life for the game, but unfortunately I just couldn’t get that feeling back this week,” said Stokes.
“I’m very excited about the next part of what I get to do. Going back to playing for my boyhood club Durham, I’m comparing this week to that week – right now I am buzzing, but there have been moments this week that have been really tough and it just adds to everything and it makes it clear that I’ve made the right decision.”
Stokes said he made the retirement decision when he was putting on his pads to prepare to bat in England’s first innings at Trent Bridge on Saturday.
He told former captain Joe Root and vice-captain Harry Brook on Saturday evening, then revealed the news to the rest of the team on Sunday morning.
“It’s been an interesting four or five weeks, maybe six months in general,” added Stokes. “There are all kinds of emotions when this day comes – relief, happiness, excitement, sadness. Everything that you go through.
“It’s the best thing that I’ve ever been asked to do, captaining England. It is the greatest honour to have on your shoulders but there is also another side to it that people don’t see, only those closest to you see it.
“My family, my wife, they see the bits where it does drain you and it does affect you negatively.”
England test captain Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket after the ongoing test match against New Zealand.
Published On 28 Jun 202628 Jun 2026
England captain Ben Stokes has made the dramatic decision to announce his imminent retirement from international cricket midway through the deciding third test against New Zealand.
“This is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England,” Stokes told his England teammates inside the dressing room on Sunday at the start of play at Trent Bridge on Day 4, in a video released on social media by England Cricket.
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The match is headed to a fifth and final day on Monday, with the series on the line at 1-1.
The shocking announcement came 15 minutes before the tea break. Stokes picked up a wicket moments later and was given a standing ovation as he led England off at the end of the session.
“The reasons can wait [about] why,” Stokes said in his dressing-room speech. “But I’ve had many trips to the well before for this team, and I’ve got one more trip to do.”
Stokes, 35, one of the world’s best known cricketers, has represented England for 15 years, the peak surely coming in 2019 when he starred for England in its wild win over New Zealand in the 50-over World Cup final at Lord’s.
He was also a key player in England’s T20 World Cup-winning team in 2022, the same year he became test captain.
Stokes has decided to quit international cricket during a series when he made front-page news after being dropped by England for the second test amid an investigation following a night out with teammate Gus Atkinson after the first test at Lord’s.
The two players were in a London nightclub when an England team security official was reportedly struck by a rugby player from English club Saracens.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) dropped Stokes and Atkinson, and later said they had “breached specific contractual obligations” and were given a written warning. The sport’s independent oversight panel – the Cricket Regulator body – said after its investigation that there was “insufficient evidence to establish that any regulatory breach occurred”.
Stokes was recalled for the third test.
ECB chairman Richard Thompson said Stokes is “one of England’s greatest ever cricketers and one of the defining figures of his generation.”
“His performances under pressure, his relentless competitiveness and his ability to produce the extraordinary when it matters most have given me and millions of other fans memories that will endure forever,” Thompson said.
“Beyond his remarkable achievements on the field, his performances have inspired many youngsters to embrace cricket with positivity and belief. We are losing a batsman, a bowler, a captain and a talisman.”
Watch the moment former England captain Michael Vaughan finds out on Test Match Special that current England captain Ben Stokes is retiring at the end of the third and final Test match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
READ MORE: England captain Ben Stokes announces retirement
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England captain Ben Stokes has made a stunning announcement to end his international career at the conclusion of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand.
All-rounder Stokes, one of the finest cricketers to ever play for England, was in the middle of a bowling spell at Trent Bridge when a statement was released confirming his intention to end a 15-year international career.
The 35-year-old missed England’s second Test after being involved in an incident in a London nightclub.
Before his return to the leading the team in Nottingham, he referred only to leading the team “this week”.
Who is DR Congo’s head coach?
This is Frenchman Sebastien Desabre’s 11th coaching role in Africa.
The 49-year-old has qualified DR Congo for successive Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the semi-finals in 2023, as well as the World Cup. He had previous success with Uganda.
How did DR Congo get to the last 32?
They earned the first World Cup point in their history by holding strongly-fancied Portugal to a 1-1 draw but then lost 1-0 to Colombia. That left DR Congo needing to beat Uzbekistan, which they duly did 3-1 to progress to the last 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Where can I watch DR Congo?
Their last-32 tie against England will be live on BBC One on Wednesday 1 July, with build-up from 16:00 BST.
The match will also be covered live on BBC Radio 5 Live, the BBC Sport website and app.
Give me a fact to impress my friends
Superfan Michel Kuka Mboladinga, who went viral at the Africa Cup of Nations for his eye-catching patriotism during games, has been included in DR Congo’s official World Cup delegation at the request of the players.
Since 2013, Mboladinga has worn colourful suits and silently imitated a statue of revered revolutionary leader Patrice Lumumba, with one arm raised, for entire matches.
Now give me some proper detail
The Congolese proverb little by little, grow the bananas emphasises the virtues of patience and steady progress. But during the national football team’s 52-year gap between World Cups – the joint-fourth longest of any nation – patience has been exhausted and progress stalled. Until now.
There has been a determination to change the country’s World Cup narrative after a 1974 debut that left them ripe for ridicule. Zaire, as DR Congo was then known, lost all three games – including 9-0 against Yugoslavia.
Then came the infamous moment when right-back Mwepu Ilunga charged out of a defensive wall to boot the ball away as Brazil lined up a free-kick.
Bemused onlookers were unaware it was an act of political protest. The players had learned their expected wages and bonuses wouldn’t be paid – and Zaire President Mobutu then threatened them with exile if they lost by more than three goals against Brazil.
By kicking the ball away, Ilunga had hoped to waste time and get sent off. He was only booked and Zaire lost 3-0; they were allowed home but President Mobutu cut their funding.
Ever since, the 1968 and 1974 African champions have been kept on the game’s periphery by a combination of conflict, corruption, poor football governance and a lack of facilities.
Current head coach Desabre has brought in fresh talent from the vast Congolese diaspora – all but six of the World Cup squad were born in Europe – and the nation is now seeing the fruits of his endlessly patient nurturing.
How have DR Congo done at previous World Cups?
The central African nation has only played in the World Cup once before – in 1974, when the country was named Zaire. They lost all three group games without scoring, including 9-0 against Yugoslavia.
BBC Sport World Cup pundits Micah Richards and Wayne Rooney believe Thomas Tuchel should have included more full-back cover in the squad, following the withdrawal of Tino Livramento and injury concerns for Reece James, and now Jarrell Quansah.
MATCH REPORT: England 2-0 Panama – Group L
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England play one of the eight best third-placed teams, but the distribution of the fixtures depends on which groups provide the qualifiers.
After it was confirmed Ghana had qualified as third in group L, it meant England had only two possible opponents – third place in group K or Senegal.
If DR Congo beat Uzbekistan in their final group K match at 00:30 BST on Sunday, England will play the third-placed team in that group.
That is almost certain to be DR Congo, bar a scenario whereby Portugal lose with a goal difference swing of seven between the teams. Then England would play Portugal.
If DR Congo draw or lose then England will play Senegal.
The knockout path is now set for England through to the quarters.
After DR Congo or Senegal, they would play the winners of Mexico or Ecuador in the last 16 in Mexico City on 5 July.
The potential quarter-final would be in Miami in 11 July against Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway.
Although England were always expected to progress from Group Two, the manner of their performances has still been impressive.
They racked up 200 or more against Sri Lanka and Scotland, scored an equally impressive 186-7 on a tricky pitch against West Indies at Lord’s, and romped home with 2.4 overs to spare in a chase of 164 against the White Ferns as Danni Wyatt-Hodge made an unbeaten 89.
“The goal was to win the group,” Edwards said.
“To go through unbeaten is really pleasing. Our batting has been particularly powerful and a real positive for us.
“I thought we bowled really well tonight on a good pitch. You saw how good that pitch was.
“We seem to be getting better with each game which is really good going into the business end of the tournament.”
England will not find out their semi-final opponents until Group One concludes on Sunday, but India or South Africa currently appear the most likely.
They also do not know whether they will play on Tuesday at 14:30 BST or Thursday at 18:30 BST.
Tuesday’s match has been arranged to suit Indian TV and India will play in that match should they qualify.
It means England will play on Thursday if anyone but India finishes second in Group One, but be switched to Tuesday if India take second spot.
“We obviously know now with the teams we are likely to play in the semi-finals, one are world champions of the ODIs [India] and one have played in every World Cup final for the last three years [South Africa] so it is not going to be easy,” Edwards said.
“But we are going in with the most confidence we have ever done into a semi-final and with a lot of belief.”
T20 World Cup, Group 2, The Oval
New Zealand 163-6 (20 overs): M Kerr 42 (34); Gibson 2-30
England 164-1 (17.2 overs): Wyatt-Hodge 89* (53), Dunkley 49* (38)
England’s winning run at the T20 World Cup continued with a rampant nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in their final group game at The Oval.
Already assured of top spot in Group 2 and with it a place in next week’s semi-finals, England built on the momentum of their four previous wins by cruising a chase of 164 with 16 balls to spare.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge, now the tournament’s leading run-scorer, kept up her superb form by crashing 89 not out. She was supported by Sophia Dunkley, who made 49 not out in their partnership of 128.
Defending champions New Zealand are a shadow of the side that won this title in 2024 but the dominant nature of England’s win only added to the sense of momentum around this side.
After limiting New Zealand early on, they took three wickets in four balls without conceding a run in limiting the White Ferns to 163-6.
Sophie Devine hit three sixes in a 14-ball 30 on her final international appearance but otherwise England were always in control.
Their semi-final opponents will be confirmed on Sunday, with India or South Africa appearing the most likely.
That match will take place on Tuesday afternoon or Thursday evening back at The Oval, where England’s women’s side have never lost any of their 11 matches.
Win that and they will return to Lord’s for the final on Sunday for a chance to win their first World Cup title since 2017.
During their first two games, Panama have taken a dynamic approach depending on the phase of play the game is in.
From opposition goal-kicks, Panama have stepped up to press aggressively in a 4-4-2 shape.
If the opponents have quality on the ball and find themselves in possession higher up the pitch, Panama’s high press falls into a mid-block, and they move from a 4-4-2 into a 5-3-2. Their focus is on making it hard for teams to play through them.
As Croatia, in particular, grew into the game, Panama took an even more defensive approach.
Their 5-3-2 became a 5-4-1, a shape they adopted with a deeper defensive line for large parts of the game.
So what does this mean for England?
Sciver-Brunt first injured her calf on 29 April, suffering what was then described by England as a “minor” tear when playing in domestic cricket.
She subsequently sat out series against New Zealand and India at the start of the international summer before returning for England’s World Cup warm-up matches.
The England captain came through warm-ups against Australia and India and the first match of the World Cup against Sri Lanka but reported ‘tightness’ in a win over Ireland 10 days ago.
She has not played since and England will either play their semi-final on Tuesday or Thursday next week, depending on other results.
“The one thing you need is time,” Worth said.
“You need time to allow the muscle to repair and then strengthen in the right way. Those timelines are tight, particularly given a history of previous injuries in the same area, but not impossible.”
Calf injuries are a regular issue for cricketers. England’s leading wicket-taker James Anderson had calf problems in the latter part of his career.
Worth said this is because of issues specific to cricket, like batters having to sprint from a standing start or bowlers slamming their front foot into the crease in their delivery stride, and the make-up of the muscle.
“You have two different types of tissue that come together,” he said. “You have your calf which is the upper bit and then the Achilles tendon.
“Wherever there are two types of tissue in terms of composition, that is often where there is a weak point.
“Things like taking a run, going from 0 to 100mph, are really difficult to replicate in rehabilitation.
“You have the immediate calming down on inflammation but tendons like load and need to strengthen.
“It is very difficult to get the balance between working the muscle enough and not pushing it too far.
“Quite often calf injuries are tricky because you feel like you have done the work and you put them back onto the field in a match situation and something goes again.”
Maintaining – or not maintaining – his fitness has been a recurring theme in Duckett’s career. As a youngster, he twice missed out on tours for failing to meet conditioning standards – once with England Under-19s in 2013, then a Northants pre-season trip in 2015.
This time, with a Test career on the line, he has worked with England fitness coach Pete Sim and Nottinghamshire counterpart Zac Bess to lose “five or six” kilograms.
Duckett added: “I started running, which was good!
“I had a four-week block when I got back from the winter where I didn’t necessarily hit many balls.
“It’s just really important now that I use that hard work that I’ve done and maintain it.
“It’s something I’ve really enjoyed and it’s been great for my mental space and getting away from the game. I went to the gym, I ran a lot and a bit of weight came off.”
The early signs for Duckett were good. Three half-centuries in his first five innings for Notts this summer were followed by an unbeaten double century against Surrey.
He still needed the international worm to turn. In the context of the snakepit pitch, scores of 19 and 33 in England’s first-Test win over New Zealand at Lord’s were useful, only to be followed by more misfortune in the loss at The Oval.
On the second morning, Duckett dropped a simple and crucial catch off Kyle Jamieson as England surrendered the momentum. When he came to bat, he was in glorious touch for 36 before being run out by a never-there call from new opening partner Emilio Gay.
At Trent Bridge, it could have been a similar story. In perfect batting conditions and with England replying to New Zealand’s 438, Duckett made his intentions known with two driven fours off Nathan Smith’s first over of the innings.
Smith, though, would return to find Duckett’s edge. Henry Nicholls should have pouched a simple catch at third slip. When the ball dropped to the turf, Duckett responded by punching the next delivery for four and did not look back.
“I was chatting to [England fielding coach] Sarah Taylor,” said Duckett. “We were making a bit of a joke about how I’ve got to get some luck eventually and that’s how the game works.
“I’m extremely thankful for Henry Nicholls for doing that to me.
“It’s been a really frustrating time, because I’ve not felt out of nick, I’ve just not got the runs that I really want. ‘Mother Cricket’ was there for me today. I got put down and made them pay for it.”
