Former England spinner Alex Hartley says she has “no doubt” the team will make the final of the Women’s World Cup after a dominant win over New Zealand completed their group stage campaign.
England finished second in the table behind Australia and will meet South Africa in the first semi-final on Wednesday. The match will take place in Guwahati, the same venue where they bowled out the Proteas for just 69 in their opening game.
“No doubt in my mind”
Hartley, a 2017 World Cup winner, believes England’s spin-friendly attack will again thrive in Guwahati.
“England will take so much confidence into their game against South Africa,” she told BBC Test Match Special.
“Guwahati suits their bowling. I just have a feeling, and there is no doubt in my mind that England will beat South Africa and make it through to the final.”
England’s batting has shown occasional vulnerability, particularly against Bangladesh and Pakistan, but they have proved capable under pressure — highlighted by their narrow four-run win over co-hosts India.
South Africa, meanwhile, suffered a heavy defeat to Australia in their final group game, collapsing to 97 all out. But Hartley warned that England must remain sharp, pointing to the Proteas’ shock elimination of Australia in last year’s T20 World Cup.
Form, fitness and key decisions
England have beaten South Africa in the semi-finals of the previous two editions — ahead of the 2017 triumph at Lord’s and defeat by Australia in 2022.
Spin remains a major strength through Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean, but Ecclestone’s shoulder injury is being closely monitored after she was hurt against New Zealand.
At the top, Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones have now put together four fifty-plus stands, offering stability at the right time. Coach Charlotte Edwards made batting-order tweaks against the White Ferns, dropping Emma Lamb for Danni Wyatt-Hodge and moving Alice Capsey up to five, but the middle order was not required in the eight-wicket win.
England now return to the slow, turning conditions in Guwahati, while Australia and India contest the other semi-final in Navi Mumbai, which also hosts the final on 2 November.
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