State of Play: Race for semi-finals hots up at World Cup

1. England – 6 points, +1.864 NRR

Three games, three wins. Opening up with a dominant win over the Proteas and also proving too strong for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the English have barely put a foot wrong at the World Cup so far.

Chasing their fifth ODI Women’s Cricket World Cup and first since 2017, England have set themselves up for a genuine tilt, having already nearly secured semi-finals qualification.

Coming off a run-a-ball 117, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is in world-beating form.

2. Australia – 5 points, +1.960 NRR

Along with England, the Aussies are one of just two unbeaten teams at the World Cup after three rounds of action. They opened their account with a win over New Zealand and have also beaten Pakistan, while their matchup with Sri Lanka was washed out.

It’s the quality depth that defines Australia’s squad, with a plethora of options in both disciplines that set the team up for a deep run.

3. India – 4 points, +0.959 NRR

Only the top three teams boast a positive net run rate at the World Cup, which includes an India side that are showing enough promise to potentially claim a maiden 50-over Women’s World Cup.

Hoping to plot a swift bounce back performance after their loss to South Africa, they will find out exactly where they’re at against Australia in what is one of the most eagerly anticipated group stage matches.

Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol and Richa Ghosh have been their major contributors with the bat, while Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana and Kranti Gaud have all proven effective wicket takers. The hosts have plenty of potential match-winners as the tournament stakes keep rising.

4. South Africa – 4 points, -0.888 NRR

The Proteas have had arguably the most compelling journey at the World Cup so far, having rebounded superbly from a heavy defeat to England. South Africa have claimed back-to-back wins, against New Zealand and then India, to roar back into contention.

Tazmin Brits hit a century against New Zealand, while captain Laura Wolvaardt showed promising signs (70 off 111) against India in what is sure to have their upcoming opponents on high alert.

5. New Zealand – 2 points, -0.245 NRR

The White Ferns are climbing off the canvas after a victory against Bangladesh which gets their campaign kickstarted.

Following losses to Australia and South Africa, New Zealand are already nearing must-win mode and their pace brigade has found form, with Jess Kerr and Lea Tahuhu each coming off three-wickets efforts. Captain Sophie Devine is in sparkling form with the bat, averaging 86.66 from three knocks.

6. Bangladesh – 2 points, -0.357 NRR

After a promising start to the tournament, beating Pakistan, Bangladesh have suffered successive losses where their batters have come under scrutiny.

Twenty-year-old quick Marufa Akter has been a bright spark, having already tallied five wickets for the tournament. She has been well supported by their spinners, too.

Their upcoming clash with South Africa in Vizag on Monday looms large.

7. Sri Lanka – 1 point, -1.526 NRR

Sri Lanka's only point came on a washout. They have suffered defeats to India in the tournament opener and England more recently.

Run scoring as been their Achilles heel, with captain Chamari Athapaththu's 43 off 47 balls their top score at the World Cup so far. Inoka Ranaweera has been their major bowling contributor, already up to seven wickets and counting.

A loss to New Zealand on Tuesday would all but end their semi-final claims.

8. Pakistan – 0 points, -1.887 NRR

The other winless team, Pakistan have lost games to Bangladesh, India and Australia. But their effort against the favoured Aussies was valiant, putting their batting lineup under real pressure in Colombo.

As expected, Sidra Amin has been crucial to their fortunes with the bat, highlighted by an 81 against India, while they have had an equal spread of contributors with the ball.

Pakistan will be hoping to put it all together and take down the unbeaten England when they meet in Colombo on Wednesday.

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