Amy Jones drives the England team to emphatic win over New Zealand
There is "absolutely certain" that England will reach the Women's World Cup final, remarked ex-cricketer Alex Hartley following Nat Sciver-Brunt's side overwhelmed New Zealand to finish the preliminary round.
Their success enabled England secure second place in the standings trailing reigning winners Australia, and they are set to play South Africa in the opening knockout match on Wednesday.
The match takes place in Guwahati, the same venue where England thumped the Proteas in their first match by dismissing them for a mere 69 runs.
"The England squad will carry great assurance into their game against South Africa," Alex Hartley, a World Cup winner, informed listeners.
"The Guwahati venue suits their bowling unit, the spin-friendly surfaces and the way they employ their spin bowlers.
"My instinct tells me, and there is complete conviction that England will defeat South Africa and advance to the title decider."
Resolving Early Struggles
England have surmounted some stutters with the batting during the tournament, notably against weaker opponents Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have also demonstrated progress under pressure by squeaking past tournament co-hosts in a four-run thriller.
Contrastingly, South Africa finished their preliminary phase with a comprehensive beating by Australia, suffering another innings meltdown to spin as they were bowled out for 97, but Hartley also warned that England ought not to disregard their rivals lightly.
"The England side are a superior side, but that is no guarantee that South Africa won't have their day.
"We witnessed it in the T20 World Cup when they ousted Australia last year, so England cannot approach the game overconfident - but they remain the better side."
England have beaten South Africa in the knockout stages of both previous editions of the competition, before their memorable victory over India at Lord's in 2017 and loss by Australia in 2022.
Bowling Strength
The English bowling attack has stood out since the start of the World Cup, notably the spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean - though they will be anxiously monitoring on the fitness of the former after she injured her upper arm against the Kiwi side.
The batting line-up presented more concerns but starting batters Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who recorded their fourth collaboration of more than fifty at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have shown signs of their groove at a opportune time.
"Many have raised a lot of concerns about Jones and Beaumont at the beginning of the innings being able to face the incoming delivery," Alex Hartley added.
"Beaumont has adjusted her technique and is positioning herself on off-stump now and she looks a lot more comfortable. She might have hoped to make a bigger contribution against New Zealand but that starting combination is just beginning to click as we are entering the crucial phase.
"That is ideal - you strive to be producing your best cricket as you are entering the final rounds."
Middle Order
The captain and Nat Sciver-Brunt have been consistent all tournament but there are still question marks over the middle order, which the team management reshuffled against New Zealand but they were unnecessary in the eight-wicket win.
The all-rounder, who found it tough at batting at six with 36 runs in several games, was omitted for her replacement while the young batter was positioned to come in at number five rather than the seventh position, trading positions with the struggling Sophia Dunkley.
England should be equipped to adapt as they return to the turning track of Guwahati from the more batting-friendly surfaces of Indore and Vizag, while India and Australia play the subsequent knockout in Navi Mumbai, which is additionally staging the title decider on the second of November.
