Cricket: England Women's World Twenty20

Rochdale-born England captain Heather Knight’s side will play India in the Women’s World Twenty20 semi-finals on Friday (23 November).

England won their game against South Africa on Friday (16 November), thrashing the team by seven wickets.

After eight overs, England raced to 55-0 and won with 35 balls remaining.

The team then went on to suffer a narrow defeat by four wickets in their final Group A game against West Indies on Sunday (18 November).

England ended the game on 115-8 (20 overs) to the West Indies’ 117-6 (19.3 overs).

Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, England captain Heather Knight said: “What a game of cricket, what a great atmosphere - I couldn't be more proud of the fight they showed. A little bit more composure maybe needed to get over the line, but what a game.

"Ideally, you want a player from the top five to bat for most of the innings, and with the ball I think the spinners went slightly over their lengths but in general our bowling's been brilliant.

"Sophia Dunkley hits in weird areas, it's difficult to set fields to her, and she and Anya kept us in the game. Australia and India both look very strong, it looks like it's going to be a great couple of semi-finals.

"Dani Hazell was a bit unlucky as a few of the balls just went over fielders' heads - we'll have to assess what's going to be our strongest XI against India. I've got a bit of a hoarse throat trying to get fielders' attention, but what an atmosphere to play in."

West Indies will face Australia in the other semi-final match ahead of Sunday's final.

27-year-old Knight began playing cricket in boys’ and men’s teams when she was just eight-years-old after moving to Plymouth.

A talented right-handed batswoman, she played for Plymstock Cricket Club and at county level for Devon.

She was part of the England squad which reclaimed the Ashes against Australia in 2013 and helped retain them in 2014.

Knight received an OBE on this year’s New Year’s honour list and was named among Wisden Almanack’s Five Cricketers of the Year for 2017 after she led the women’s team to a triumphant World Cup victory last summer.

England will next play India on Friday 23 November, at around midnight GMT.

The ICC final will take place on Sunday 25 November.

Read more about Heather Knight and her team’s achievements:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/news-archives?type=News&searchtype=Phrase&Criteria=heather+knight