New Delhi: England women's team defeated hosts New Zealand by 1 wicket in the 19th match of the ICC Women's World Cup 2022 to keep their hopes alive of reaching the semi-finals of the tournament. England's surprising win over New Zealand has made the race to the semi-finals much more exciting.
After defending champions England's win, while their hopes are still alive, New Zealand, which lost 4 out of 6 matches, is on the verge of getting knocked out. India's chances of reaching semis are still alive.
In the Women's CWC group stage, nine matches are left but till now only Australia has qualified for the semi-finals. In the ICC Women's World Cup 2022 Points Table, Australia is on top, South Africa is at number two, West Indies is at number three and India is at number four.
Here's how India can make it to the semi-finals?
India, with a net run rate of 0.456, has four points from five matches so far. India will play its remaining matches against Bangladesh and South Africa. To make it to the semi-finals, India will now have to win both their remaining matches and also pray that South Africa or West Indies do not get more than eight points.
This is possible only if West Indies lose one of their remaining two matches, or South Africa lose all their matches. According to ESPNcricinfo, if both these results go in India's favor, then both India and England will enter the semi-finals with eight points. But the condition is that for this England also has to win both their remaining matches. If this happens, West Indies and South Africa will be ruled out due to poor net run rates.
On the other hand, if the West Indies team wins both their matches and if South Africa wins over Australia, then three teams will finish on eight points or more.
In this situation, there will be a fight for fourth place between India and England (If both England and India finish on eight points). West Indies have six points from 5 matches and have to play their next matches against Pakistan and South Africa.