

England Women’s fast-bowler Lauren Bell shared an emotional moment with her family after the Lionesses’ 40-run win over South Africa in the semi-final of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at the Oval on Thursday, July 2.
Bell was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 28 from her four overs, helping the Lionesses defend a total of 170, set up by a 133-run stand between skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight. At the end of the game, she was shown sharing an embrace with members of her family. Speaking after the match, she expressed her elation at being able to share the moment with her family and getting past tough times with the squad.
“Yeah, it was my family. I think they’re my biggest supporters, so it’s just nice to share that moment and then, I guess, the win today with them. And yeah, just getting excited for Sunday. It’s massive. I got a bit overwhelmed. I guess we’ve had a lot of tough times, I guess, as an England team over the last few years. So yeah, it was just really special to get them that win, maybe not too stressful for them. Um, yeah, just overwhelmed really,” Bell told Prime Video Sport.
Watch the video here:
Bell, among others in the England squad, is playing her first World Cup final across formats. England’s last World Cup success came in 2017, when they won the ODI World Cup. Speaking of this being her first final, she expressed her excitement about playing at home in front of a massive crowd.
“I mean, it’s my first one and I was a kid in 2017, so it’s been a while. So yeah, just excited. The occasion couldn’t get much bigger. Hopefully, it’ll be a full, full home crowd. And um, yeah, I think it’ll be an amazing day. It’s why you play, it’s the games you play for,” she added.
Bell has picked up six wickets in six games, bowling at an economy of 7.00. The Lionesses face Australia in the final on Sunday, July 5, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
Top 3 Women’s T20 World Cup Finals of all time
Top 3 match-winning T20I knocks by Shreyas Iyer
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: ‘The drive has always been there’ – Nat Sciver-Brunt on England’s appearance in home final
The Hundred Women’s 2026: Welsh Fire announce Sophie Devine as captain

