Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: ‘No doubt’ England beat South Africa to make final, says Alex Hartley

England’s bowling has impressed since the beginning of the tournament, particularly the spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean – though they will be nervously waiting on the fitness of the former after she hurt her shoulder against the White Ferns.

The batting line-up presented more concerns but openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who added their fourth stand of more than fifty at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have started to find their groove at a very convenient time.

“There have been a lot of questions about Jones and Beaumont at the top of the order being able to play the in-swinging ball,” Hartley added.

“Tammy has made a shift and is batting on off-stump now and she looks a lot more comfortable. She would have wanted to get more runs against New Zealand but that opening partnership is just starting to tick as we are getting down to the nitty gritty.

“That’s what you want – you want to be playing your best cricket as you are getting into the latter stages.”

Heather Knight and Sciver-Brunt have been fluent throughout but there are still question marks over the middle order, which coach Charlotte Edwards rejigged against New Zealand but they were not needed in the eight-wicket win.

Emma Lamb, who struggled at number six with 36 runs in five innings, was dropped for Danni Wyatt-Hodge while Alice Capsey was listed to come in at five instead of seven, swapping with the out of form Sophia Dunkley.

England must be prepared to adapt as they return to the slow, spin-friendly surface of Guwahati from the flatter pitches of Indore and Vizag, while India and Australia contest the second semi in Navi Mumbai, which is also hosting the final on 2 November.

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