Women's T20 World Cup 2026: 'The drive has always been there' - Nat Sciver-Brunt on England's appearance in home final

England Women's skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt elaborated on the motivation that comes from playing in a home World Cup final after their 40-run semi-final win over South Africa at the Oval in the semi-finals of the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. 

Sciver-Brunt made her return from a calf injury after missing England's final three group stage games and was the Lionesses' saviour after they were reduced to 23 for 3. The skipper stitched a 133-run stand with Heather Knight, scoring a marvellous 75 off 47 balls. Knight also scored a half-century, which took England to a total of 169 for 5 in their innings. They restricted the Proteas to 129 for 8, with a brilliant all-round performance. The skipper said that there is always an added motivation to perform when they play at home.

"I guess when you see a home World Cup in the diary, you always sort of imagine yourself there at the final and, with a chance to lift the trophy. So yeah, I guess that drive has always been there. It's obviously a great common goal to have as a team, to be able to try and reach a final of a home edition of a World Cup," Sciver-Brunt said, speaking after the match, as quoted by ICC.

This is the first ICC Women's event in England since the 2017 ODI World Cup, which was also won by the Lionesses. All of England's World Cup victories in the women's game, across formats, have come at home. Sciver-Brunt elaborated on her team's preparation for the tournament and backed them to go all the way. 

"I guess it's what we've been preparing for, and not only during this competition but in the months before that, throughout the sort of winter camps that we've had and everything to be able to perform on the bigger stage. I suppose we've set ourselves up with an amazing opportunity to be in a home World Cup final and you don't get that many times in your career. I think we've got what it takes," she said.

Women's T20 WC 2026: ENG W vs SA W Today's Match Highlights

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Women's T20 WC 2026: ENG W vs SA W Today's Match Highlights

England take on Australia in the final, who have had an extra two-day rest after playing their semi-final on Tuesday, June 30. England played their semi-final on July 2. The skipper placed her guarantees on the crowd at Lord's to help the team, despite the two days of extra rest for their rivals.

"As a group we take our recovery seriously and we'll be doing everything that we can to, be fresh as fresh as we can for that match. We can't really help the scheduling of, who plays in what semi-final, but the home crowd will certainly be there at Lord's and I think that will hopefully give us some home advantage," she opined.

England hosts long-time rivals Australia in the final at Lord's on Sunday, July 5. They have played the Aussies in three finals of this competition, having lost on all three occasions. They are looking to break a 17-year drought, having won the tournament last in 2009, which was the inaugural edition.