MAIA BOUCHIER and Danni Wyatt-Hodge sparkled as England moved a step closer to the T20 World Cup semi-finals following a commanding 10-wicket win over Scotland at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, today.

Already-eliminated Scotland amassed their highest total of the tournament in their last Group B match, but a score of 109 for six was overhauled by England’s openers with a whopping 10 overs to spare.

Bouchier was dropped on 12 and made Scotland pay with an unbeaten 62 off 34 balls, with Wyatt-Hodge making 51 not out off 26 deliveries, as England eased to a third win from three matches.

England significantly boosted their net run-rate, but they can make it a moot point by beating the West Indies on Monday to seal top spot in the group — and likely avoid a semi-final against Australia.

Defeat against the West Indies in Dubai would complicate their chances but England, who moved back to the top of their group, are in the box seat to reach the knockout stages thanks to their opening batters.

Bouchier flicked fine and cut and drove for three fours from the first three balls of the reply but she was put down in the next over after gently lobbing to Olivia Bell, who could not hold a return chance.

It was largely one-way traffic thereafter as Bell’s next over disappeared for 18, with Wyatt-Hodge taking three fours and Bouchier one.

Boundaries came at an alarming rate as Bouchier and Wyatt-Hodge racked up 66 in the powerplay, meaning that when Scotland turned to highly rated leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood in the seventh over, the momentum was irreversibly with England.