Christchurch: India will battle it out today in the Women’s Cricket World Cup. If India beat South Africa in the last match of the league round, they can advance to the semi-finals. Semi-guaranteed even if the match is abandoned. If you fail, the chances are slim.
Australia (14) and South Africa (9) are semi-finalists. West Indies (7) are third. England, India and New Zealand are next with six points each. England are currently fourth in run rate. India is fifth. The sixth Kiwis are unlikely to play as the matches are over. The Windies’ games are over.
If India beat South Africa, they can secure a semi-final berth with eight points. Even if the match is abandoned, the Windies can still advance as they have a higher run average. Failure is almost out of the question. Or England should lose to Bangladesh and fall behind on the run average.
India, who have won and lost three of their last six matches, are facing instability. If Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandana, who are experienced in batting, shine, India will shine. Bowling led by Julan Goswami should also come with the opportunity. New Zealand beat Pakistan by 71 runs in the semi-finals. Batting first, the Kiwis scored 265 for eight to reduce Pakistan to 194 for nine. Susie Bates (126) and Hannah Rowe (five) took the Kiwis to victory.