SEMI-FINAL SHOWDOWNS – Cricket World Cup reaches the pointy end

After a month of cricket at the Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, eight teams have been whittled down to four. Clare McEwen previews the semi-finals.

Fittingly, the top four ODI ranked teams have made it through to the semi-finals. Co-hosts India made it difficult for themselves but made it in the end. Despite South Africa’s horrible start against England way back on 3rd October (where they only managed a total of 69 runs), they have mostly looked in good touch: at least until they faced Australia. England haven’t fully hit their stride despite finishing in second place but it’s fair to say Australia’s stride has been stronger and longer than everyone else’s.

Semi-final 1: England v South Africa

The first semi-final takes place on Wednesday 29th October, 3pm local time. South Africa will want to right their disastrous start against England nearly a month ago and bounce back from their poor batting performance against Australia. England will hope to bowl first and reduce South Africa to another low score.

Current form

Both England and South Africa have had their wobbles this tournament so hopefully they can bring their A games for this one. Of course, the teams faced each other in their opening fixture and South Africa will want to forget that one. It seemed unlikely there would be a repeat of this since South Africa won all their next matches convincingly but then they ended the league phase in similar trouble against Australia. The 69 all out total against England wasn’t reflective of most of their batting performances but their demolition by Australia (all out for 97) will raise concerns about their ability to face the world’s best bowlers.

England had a major wobble of their own when they were lucky that rain interrupted their game against Pakistan earlier in the tournament. Aside from that, however, they’ve looked to be doing the job, if not yet reaching their best. Their unbeaten run was halted by Australia but nobody has looked close to Australia this tournament. England will be happy to avoid the Aussies in the semi-final and will be hoping to emulate their previous game against South Africa.

Players to watch

Despite their collapses against England and Australia, South Africa have been batting well. They’ve had strong showings throughout the order and Nadine de Klerk has got them out of a spot of bother on a couple of occasions. Tazmin Brits scored 101 against New Zealand and captain Laura Wolvaardt has made contributions of 60, 70, and 90 throughout the competition. Marianne Kapp has also had some good knocks. Sune Luus scored 83 not out against New Zealand and 60 against Pakistan, so there’s high scorers all over the batting line up.

With the ball, Nonkululeko Mlaba has had some excellent figures, including 4/40 against New Zealand and 3/30 off 4.0 overs against Sri Lanka. Mlaba and the consistent threat of Marizanne Kapp are likely to be the biggest threat to England’s attack.

England haven’t been as consistent as they would have liked this World Cup but Nat Sciver-Brunt remains the glue holding the sometimes average performances together. Her 117 against Sri Lanka was her fifth Cricket World Cup century and she’s been handy with the ball too. Heather Knight hit a tonne against India (109) and a 79 against Bangladesh and Tammy Beaumont hit Australia for 78. Further down the order, Charlie Dean has arguably been the most consistent batter for England with contributions in every game.

With the ball Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith are having great tournaments, alongside Sciver-Brunt’s consistent figures. Ecclestone’s spin in particular has been troubling batters throughout the competition. With the ball England have generally looked more convincing than with the bat.

Prediction

With South Africa’s early poor performance against England and then a battering at the hands of the Aussies, this looks likely to be another Cricket World Cup final for England.

When to watch

Wednesday 29th October, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati at 3pm local time, 09.30 GMT.

Semi-final 2: Australia v India

The second semi-final takes place a day later on Thursday 30th October, 3pm local time. Australia only did half a day’s work in their last game having breezed past South Africa so will have had plenty of rest, although not much of a run out. India haven’t played for a week so will also be well-rested.

Current form

The bad news for India is they face the flawless Australians. Australia have not really been troubled, despite strong efforts from England a few days ago and India themselves nearly slowing their run-chase enough to claim victory. Really though, those games make India’s task feel like an even bigger challenge. England were in charge for a brief period of their game and Australia still made the win look like a formality. India posted a total of 330 against them and despite it coming down to a very tight finish, Australia managed to get over the line with 331/7 and one over left to play. Even when you think you might have them, Australia – champions that they are – find a way. It’s hard to see anyone being able to stop them but India will hope home advantage helps balance the scales and they can get on the right side of a run-chase this time around.

Players to watch

Smriti Mandhana was pretty unconvincing, by her standards, with the bat in the first few games of the tournament. In the last few games, though, it looks like she has played herself in. She scored 80 against Australia, 88 against England in the following game, and then 109 (off 95) against New Zealand to get India here. In that must win game, Smriti and fellow opener Pratika Rawl (122 off 134) both found their form, as did number three Jemimah Rodrigues (76 off 55). They’ll need the top order firing on all cylinders if they’re going to hurt Australia.

Deepti Sharma has looked good with the ball all tournament but will probably be hoping for slightly better figures than the 2/52 she posted when the teams met a couple of weeks ago. It was Sree Charani who troubled Australia the most with 3/41. Sharma has been India’s stand out bowler so far but Charani, Kranti Gaud, and Sneh Rana have all made strong contributions. 

Australia have looked unplayable throughout so far and have a whole squad of players to watch. Opener, captain, and wicket keeper Alyssa Healy is back for this one having missed the England game with a minor calf injury. She muscled her way to 142 off 107 balls against India last time so India know if they can take her wicket early, then they at least have a shot. India will also know that even without Healy there’s Ashleigh Gardner (104 not out against England and 115 earlier in the competition) and Annabel Sutherland (98 not out against England) to scuttle; Beth Mooney had a 109 knock earlier in the tournament too. With centuries available throughout the order, you need to watch them all.

With the ball, Annabel Sutherland has been sublime. She took three against England and a massive 5/40 off 9.5 overs when they met India previously. Sophie Molineux has good figures too with a bucketful of wickets. Again though, there is great strength in depth. Alana King made her presence felt against South Africa and at one stage had four wickets for zero runs off 2.3 overs. King finished with a record 7/18 off 7 overs against South Africa. Nobody is beating those figures for a while.

Prediction

Even with Smriti Mandhana hitting her stride and India’s home advantage, it seems unlikely they can topple Australia in their current form. 

When to watch

Thursday 30th October, DR. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai at 3pm local time, 09.30 GMT.