Sophia Dunkley’s 57 helped England Women beat Scotland by 38 runs at Headingley on Saturday, keeping the hosts unbeaten in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
England were put under immediate pressure after Amy Jones fell first ball and Danni Wyatt-Hodge followed inside the powerplay, but Dunkley rebuilt the innings from No. 3 with 57 from 37 balls. Alice Capsey added 40 from 25 before Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson turned a strong platform into 200-5 with a brutal late surge.
Dunkley Gives England Control After Early Wobble
Scotland replied with intent but could not stay with the required rate, finishing on 162-7 from their 20 overs. Sarah Bryce and debutant Pippa Sproul gave Scotland moments of resistance, while Kirstie Gordon’s all-round contribution added bite against her former England team-mates.
The result, reported by The Guardian’s match report from Headingley, leaves England three wins from three in Group B and reinforces their status as one of the tournament’s form sides.
For England, the context matters almost as much as the margin. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s calf injury could have unsettled the batting order, but Dunkley’s return ensured the hosts still had a defining top-order performance before Kemp and Gibson supplied the finishing punch.
England next face West Indies at Lord’s, while Scotland move on to a decisive meeting with New Zealand in Bristol.
