Amy Jones powers England to emphatic victory over the White Ferns
It is "without question" that England will advance to the Women's World Cup final, stated ex-cricketer Alex Hartley following Nat Sciver-Brunt's side thrashed New Zealand to conclude the preliminary round.
The win saw England finish second in the standings after reigning winners Australia, and they are set to play South Africa in the initial semi-final clash on Wednesday.
The match takes place in Guwahati, the exact ground where England thumped the Proteas in their first match by dismissing them for only 69.
"The England squad will take so much confidence into their encounter against South Africa," Hartley, a title holder from 2017, informed the broadcast.
"Guwahati benefits their bowling unit, the spin-friendly surfaces and the approach they use their spin bowlers.
"I just have a feeling, and there is absolute certainty that England will beat South Africa and progress to the championship game."
Resolving Inconsistencies
England have dealt with some uneven performances with the bat during the tournament, especially against weaker opponents Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have also displayed growth under pressure by squeaking past the Indian team in a close contest.
In contrast, South Africa finished their preliminary phase with a comprehensive beating by Australia, experiencing another batting failure to slow bowling as they were skittled for 97, but Hartley also warned that England ought not to disregard their rivals without caution.
"England are a better team, but that does not imply that South Africa can't have their day.
"We have seen it in the T20 World Cup when they ousted Australia last year, so England cannot approach the game assuming victory - but they are indeed the stronger team."
The England women's team have overcome South Africa in the semi-finals of both previous editions of the World Cup, before their memorable victory over India at Lord's in 2017 and defeat by Australia in 2022.
Spin Dominance
The English bowling attack has stood out since the outset of the competition, particularly the spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean - though they will be nervously waiting on the fitness of the first-mentioned after she damaged her shoulder joint against the White Ferns.
The batting line-up raised more questions but openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who recorded their fourth stand of over fifty runs at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have started to find their rhythm at a very convenient time.
"There have been a lot of questions about the opening pair at the top of the order being able to face the incoming delivery," Hartley continued.
"Tammy has made a shift and is standing outside off-stump now and she appears a lot more assured. She likely desired to get more runs against New Zealand but that starting combination is just starting to tick as we are approaching the nitty gritty.
"That is ideal - you want to be playing your peak performance as you are reaching the latter stages."
Middle Order
Heather Knight and Sciver-Brunt have been fluent all tournament but there are ongoing concerns over the batting middle order, which coach Charlotte Edwards adjusted against New Zealand but they were not needed in the eight-wicket win.
The all-rounder, who struggled at the sixth position with a modest return in several games, was dropped for her replacement while Alice Capsey was positioned to appear at number five in place of number seven, exchanging places with the underperforming Sophia Dunkley.
England should be equipped to modify their game as they return to the spin-conducive pitch of Guwahati from the flatter pitches of Indore and Vizag, while India and Australia play the subsequent knockout in Navi Mumbai, which is additionally staging the championship match on 2 November.
