🔗 Share this article

There is "absolutely certain" that the England women's cricket team will advance to the Women's World Cup final, remarked World Cup winner Alex Hartley following Nat Sciver-Brunt's side decisively beat New Zealand to finish the preliminary round.

This victory saw England finish second in the standings trailing reigning winners Australia, and they are set to play South Africa in the first semi-final on Wednesday.

They are playing in Guwahati, the exact ground where England thumped the Proteas in their initial game by bowling them out for only 69.

"England will bring tremendous self-belief into their match against South Africa," Hartley, a title holder from 2017, told listeners.

"The Guwahati venue benefits their bowling unit, the spin-friendly surfaces and the approach they utilize their slow bowlers.

"I just have a feeling, and there is complete conviction that England will beat South Africa and make it through to the title decider."

Resolving Inconsistencies

England have surmounted some inconsistencies with the batting during the tournament, especially against weaker opponents Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have also displayed growth under pressure by narrowly defeating the Indian team in a close contest.

On the other hand, South Africa finished their group stage with a heavy loss by Australia, enduring another batting failure to spin as they were bowled out for 97, but the former spinner also warned that England must not underestimate their competitors easily.

"England are a stronger unit, but that is no guarantee that South Africa can't have their moment.

"We have seen it in the short-format World Cup when they knocked out Australia last year, so England cannot approach the game overconfident - but they are the better side."

England have overcome South Africa in the semi-finals of the last two tournaments of the tournament, before their historic triumph over India at Lord's in 2017 and loss by Australia in 2022.

Bowling Strength

Their bowling unit has excelled since the outset of the competition, especially the spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean - though they will be carefully watching on the condition of the former after she injured her upper arm against the White Ferns.

The top and middle order was less assured but openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who recorded their fourth partnership of over fifty runs at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have begun to discover their rhythm at a opportune time.

"There have been a lot of doubts about Jones and Beaumont at the top of the order being able to handle the in-swinging ball," Alex Hartley added.

"Beaumont has adjusted her technique and is batting on off-stump now and she looks a lot more at ease. She would have wanted to get more runs against New Zealand but that opening partnership is just finding its rhythm as we are getting down to the decisive stage.

"That is ideal - you strive to be producing your best cricket as you are reaching the knockout phase."

Lineup Adjustments

Heather Knight and Sciver-Brunt have been consistent in every match but there are remaining doubts over the lower middle order, which coach Charlotte Edwards rejigged against New Zealand but they were unnecessary in the comfortable victory.

The all-rounder, who had difficulties at the sixth position with 36 runs in several games, was omitted for her replacement while the young batter was slotted to bat at number five instead of the seventh position, trading positions with the underperforming Sophia Dunkley.

The squad should be equipped to modify their game as they return to the slow, spin-friendly surface of Guwahati from the flatter pitches of Indore and Vizag, while the other semi-finalists contest the other semi-final in Navi Mumbai, which is also hosting the final on November 2.