England has been defeated by The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars by five runs after a spectacular fightback securing a position in their 4^th consecutive WT20 semi-final. Meg Lanning scored a half century which aided the Stars give England an easy target of 133 in their semi-final match which was played at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi. Watching England openers slashing a pretty fine score of 67, it seemed that England would comfortably win the match. However the bowlers exerted a strong fightback and England lost 6 wickets for 28 in just 5 overs. All this magic happened from 14th-19th overs.

After openers Elyse Villani and Alyssa Healy pushed Australia in the power play to 1-47, Lanning’s beautiful 55 from 50 balls drove the Southern Stars to 6-132, which was their maximum total in the tournament so far. Villani and Healy did a most progressive start yet, crashing the daring new-ball pair English team; Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Brunt as they reached to 0-41 in 5 overs. England opted for couple of spin spells as they planned to control the attack by the Aussie batting line and Laura Marsh was unsuccessful not to hit in her 1^st over, Villani was wiped out by Jenny Gunn, before Natalie Sciver, the medium-pacer, found the breakthrough.

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Sciver faced an inauspicious start; the allrounder needed to fetch a medical assistance after facing a Brunt return throw on her temple. To her fortune, she was given the all clear call, resulting in a trap for Villani for her 19 off 20 balls. The wicket was followed by Healy, who got out attempting a reverse sweep to Marsh. While Ellyse Perry and Lanning were at the crease, Jenny Gunn and Marsh did a commendable job of pushing back the pair. Perry went to pavilion after scoring a 10, while Lanning remained persistent, scoring up her 50 from 45 balls that proved a vital knock later. At the end of Australia’s innings, England seemed quite happy with their fight back. England did a good start and it looked quite easy that they would win the match. However, the Southern Stars limited the English team within 127 and won the position in WCT20 fianls.