Semi-final race heats up with key clashes to come

1. Australia

12 points (6 played, 6 won, 0 lost, NRR: 1.29)

Mar 25 v Bangladesh, Wellington

Australia have continued their winning run, defeating South Africa to become the only unbeaten team in the tournament.

The lowest Australia can finish is second and a win (or even a washout) against Bangladesh will lock in top spot, but they will have to wait until Sunday March 27 to find out where and when they will play their 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.

2. South Africa

8 points (5 played, 4 won, 1 lost, NRR: 0.09)

Mar 24 v West Indies, Wellington

Mar 27 v India, Christchurch

The Proteas remain in second spot following their loss to Australia and are the only remaining semi-final contender who still fully control their own destiny.

They need to win just one of their remaining matches to qualify (one washout would also do the trick) – but a loss to West Indies on Thursday could set up a nerve-wracking final match against India, particularly given their low net run rate, and they could end up missing the four all together if they lose both games.

3. India

6 points (6 played, 3 won, 3 lost, NRR: 0.77)

Mar 27 v South Africa, Christchurch

India are back on track after their big win against Bangladesh, which followed back-to-back losses to England and Australia.

They will carefully watch the outcome of Thursday's game between West Indies and South Africa. A Proteas win is good news for Mithali Raj's team, as they can advance even without winning their final game, also against South Africa, thanks to their very healthy net run rate.

But a win to the Windies will leave them needing to defeat the Proteas, unless England have an unlikely stumble against Pakistan or Bangladesh, in which case net run rate will come into play.

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.

4. West Indies

6 points (6 played, 3 won, 3 lost, NRR: -0.88)

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 India lose to South Africa, or England lose one of their remaining games against Pakistan and Bangladesh.

5. 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, will advance thanks to their healthy net run rate. Wet weather could well be their biggest threat.

6. 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 means that while they remain a mathematical chance, it would take an unlikely combination of other results, or a number of washouts.

7. Bangladesh

2 points (4 played, 1 won, 3 lost, NRR: -0.75)

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 it would take two massive upsets over Australia and England, plus other results going their way.

8. 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 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: Beat South Africa by five wickets

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

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 9am AEDT

Mar 31: Hagley Park, Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEST

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