Australia will play India in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, while England meet South Africa in Guwahati a day earlier, after a group phase that kept the calculators busy until the final weekend.
Australia, still unbeaten after seven outings, finished top on 13 points. South Africa followed on 10 after slipping to the champions in Indore on Saturday. England sit third with nine and can, at best, edge into second if they beat New Zealand on Sunday. India have six points, and victory over Bangladesh – also on Sunday in Navi Mumbai – would rubber-stamp fourth place and the last semi-final berth. The fixtures, then, could yet shuffle England and South Africa around, but the opponents are fixed.
The schedule
• 1st semi-final: England v South Africa, Guwahati, Wednesday
• 2nd semi-final: India v Australia, Navi Mumbai (DY Patil), Thursday
• Final: Navi Mumbai, Sunday 2 November
All three matches carry reserve days.
Weather watch
Heavy showers are forecast in Guwahati around the toss on Wednesday, and Navi Mumbai may see late thunderstorms on both Thursday and the reserve day. Under tournament regulations, if a semi-final is washed out the side higher in the group table goes through. A washed-out final would see the trophy shared – not ideal, but at least everyone knows the rules.
Form guide
Australia have looked the most settled unit: six wins, one no-result and scarcely a wobble. India have been patchy but dangerous; they have knocked Australia out of a World Cup once before – the 2017 semi-final still lingers in Australian minds. England’s bowling has been their trump card, while South Africa, though inconsistent, carry power with bat and ball. It feels close on paper; Australia remain favourites on habit alone.
Head-to-head in knock-outs
• Australia v India: played 3, Australia lead 2-1
• England v South Africa: played 2, England lead 2-0
Quirks and context
No side other than Australia has gone through a women’s World Cup unbeaten since the tournament expanded to eight teams. England, meanwhile, have never lost a 50-over World Cup semi-final. South Africa have, frustratingly for them, never won one. As their captain has said more than once, “record books don’t win matches”, but the backdrop is there.
Points of interest
– The DY Patil surface has offered pace and a bit of bounce early on, something both Australian quicks and India’s seamers – Renuka especially – will fancy.
– Guwahati has turned for the spinners, particularly in the evening; England’s double-spin squeeze of Ecclestone and Glenn could be crucial.
– Meg Lanning’s side is the only team yet to post a total under 250; South Africa, by contrast, have been bowled out three times under 200.
What they’re saying
“A semi-final takes care of its own motivation – you’re either in or you’re out.” – Meg Lanning
“We’ve done the hard yards to get here; now we want to finish the job.” – Heather Knight
“People keep talking about history; we’ll try to make some.” – Laura Wolvaardt
And finally, remember the reserve days. With the forecasts as they are, they may decide who actually lifts the cup.
