World Cup semi-finals scenarios explained

The stage is set for a super Saturday of Women’s World Cup action, with five teams still alive and semi-final match-ups still to be decided.

Four matches will be played concurrently, with three of those set to impact the tournament’s play-offs.

Just one spot remains in the top four, with Australia, England and South Africa already safely in the finals.

New Zealand and India will meet in Derby in a knock-out game that will see the victor advance and the loser go home.

And while the other spots are decided, the final positions of the top four are also important – first will meet fourth in Bristol on July 18, giving the victor a full two days of extra rest before the final at Lord’s on July 23, with the second semi-final to be played in Derby on July 20, so there’s plenty on the line when Australia meet South Africa and England take on West Indies.

England (won 5, lost 1, points: 10, NRR: 1.217)

Left to play: West Indies (Saturday, Bristol)

Given the West Indies’ woes this tournament, England will be looking to win big against the Caribbean side to boost their hopes of finishing on top and claiming the advantage of the first semi-final.

Australia (won 5, lost 1, points: 10, NRR: 0.973)

Left to play: South Africa (Saturday, Taunton)

Australia will head in as favourites, having never lost a game to South Africa – although they did tie with the Proteas last November. But South Africa have come a long way and have produced outstanding cricket this tournament, so Meg Lanning’s team cannot afford to take anything for granted. Their spot in the semi-finals is assured, but Australia need to boost their net run rate if they want to finish on top of the table.

South Africa (Won 5, lost 1, no result 1, points: 9, NRR: 1.722)

Left to play: Australia (Saturday, Taunton)

South Africa are through to the semi-finals for the first time since 2000, and they could finish as high as first if they beat Australia and England also lose. Worst case scenario, they finish level on points with New Zealand and net run rate will determined the final positions.

India (won 4, lost 3, points: 8, NRR: 0.15)

Left to play: New Zealand (Saturday, Derby)

Mithali Raj’s charges have a tough task ahead of them, needing to beat a higher-ranked opponent in New Zealand on Saturday. Their performances have tapered off since defeating England on the opening day of the tournament, but they know they can beat anyone when they do click. Having finished seventh on home soil in the previous tournament, they are desperate to make the finals this time around.

New Zealand (won 3, lost 2, no result 1, points: 7, NRR: 1.386)

Left to play: India (Saturday, Derby)

As explained above, the equation is very, very simple. Win, and advance to the finals. Lose, and Suzie Bates’ team goes home. If they do advance, they’ll finish in either third or fourth position, depending on the result of South Africa’s match and their net run rate. That washed out game against the Proteas in the tournament – the only no result to date – could come back to hurt the White Ferns.

West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan: Semi-finals are out of the question for all three, who have just the one win between them. 

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Australia World Cup squad: Sarah Aley, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell (vc), Nicole Bolton, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Meg Lanning (c), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

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