Race to secure a semi-final spot sets up big finish

Australia

10 points (5 played, 5 won, 0 lost, NRR: 1.42)

Mar 22 v South Africa, Wellington

Mar 25 v Bangladesh, Wellington

Australia's record-breaking win over India saw them become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals with two matches still to come.

The lowest Australia can finish is third, and Tuesday's much-anticipated game against unbeaten South Africa will be the first ODI between the tournament frontrunners since the 2017 World Cup.

However, Australia will likely have to wait until Sunday March 27 to find out where and when they will play that semi-final.

The World Cup playing conditions dictate that India – should they qualify – feature in the second day-night semi-final at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, regardless of where they finish inside the top four.

South Africa

8 points (4 played, 4 won, 0 lost, NRR: 0.23)

Mar 22 v Australia, Wellington

Mar 24 v West Indies, Wellington

Mar 27 v India, Christchurch

The Proteas sit second on the one-day rankings, but the massive loss of captain Dane van Niekerk saw them perhaps underrated by some heading into the tournament. But with four wins in as many games, South Africa's fate is firmly in their own hands with three matches remaining and needing to win just one of those to qualify (one washout would also do the trick).

Their wins over Pakistan, England and New Zealand were all nerve-wracking affairs, and there could be more to come against Australia and fellow semi-final hopefuls West Indies and India.

West Indies

6 points (6 played, 3 won, 3 lost, NRR: -0.89)

Mar 24 v South Africa, Wellington

West Indies have been the surprise packet of this tournament to date, and like South Africa have found themselves on the right side of some close finishes. They claimed narrow upset wins over New Zealand and England, then just squeezed home against Bangladesh, with big losses to Australia and India in between.

Progression through to the semi-finals was dealt a blow on Monday, however, when they were beaten by the previously winless Pakistan.

The Windies now need to win their final game against South Africa, and hope either England or India lose at least one of their remaining games. Forecast wet weather this week - and the West Indies' poor net run rate - could yet come into the equation, too.

India

4 points (5 played, 2 won, 3 lost, NRR: 0.46)

Mar 22 v Bangladesh, Hamilton

Mar 27 v South Africa, Christchurch

India desperately need to win against Bangladesh to get their campaign back on track after back-to-back losses to England and Australia.

If they, as expected, defeat Bangladesh on Tuesday, their fate in the tournament could well come down to Sunday's match against South Africa in Christchurch.

If the Proteas and West Indies both cement their spots in the top four, India would not only need to win that final game at Hagley Oval, they would also likely find themselves in a net run rate battle with England (who are expected to win both their remaining games) for the final spot.

If it does come down to NRR, India have one crucial advantage: their final game is a day-nighter, while England meet Bangladesh earlier that same day, meaning by the second innings they will know exactly what they need to do to qualify.

England

4 points (5 played, 2 won, 3 lost, NRR: 0.33)

Mar 24 v Pakistan, Christchurch

Mar 27 v Bangladesh, Wellington

Three consecutive losses left their campaign teetering on the edge of elimination but England have themselves firmly back in the contest after wins over India and New Zealand.

They will go into their two remaining matches against the bottom two sides as heavy favourites and, if they win both, are in a good position to advance with a healthy net run rate. A lot still depends on other results, and wet weather could well be their biggest threat.

New Zealand

4 points (6 played, 2 won, 4 lost, NRR: -0.23)

Mar 26 v Pakistan, Christchurch

Hopes were oh-so high for the White Ferns after their dominant series win over India last month that served as their warm-up for their first World Cup on home soil since they won the 2000 event.

But the dream is all-but over for the hosts, who suffered a shock loss to West Indies in their opening game. They continued their dominance over India, but a heavy defeat to Australia, a narrow loss to the Proteas and then Sunday's result against England mean while they remain mathematically a chance, it would take an unlikely combination of other results, or a number of washouts.

Bangladesh

2 points (4 played, 1 won, 3 lost, NRR: -0.34)

Mar 22 v India, Hamilton

Mar 25 v Australia, Wellington

Mar 27 v England, Christchurch

Bangladesh were left devastated by their loss to the West Indies, which went right down to the wire, after defeating Pakistan to claim their maiden victory in their first World Cup. The Tigers do remain in finals contention but would need to pull off three massive upsets over three of the stronger sides in the tournament to advance.

Pakistan

2 points (5 played, 1 won, 4 lost, NRR: -0.88)

Mar 24 v England, Christchurch

Mar 26 v New Zealand, Christchurch

Pakistan are riding high after their first win of the tournament against the West Indies on Monday, snapping an 18-match World Cup losing streak dating back to 2009. And while mathematically they are not out of the tournament with two games remaining, it would take an extremely unlikely chain of events to see them sneak into the fourth spot. 

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Beat England by 12 runs

Mar 8: Beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Mar 13: Beat New Zealand by 141 runs

Mar 15: Beat West Indies by seven wickets

Mar 19: Beat India by six wickets

Mar 22: v South Africa, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 31: Hagley Park Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEDT

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports