England face New Zealand after fourth win

England head into their match with New Zealand in Derby on Wednesday 12 July on the back of a fourth successive ICC Women’s World Cup victories.

Hosts England made it four wins in a row with the narrow victory on Sunday after a thrilling three-run win over world champions Australia in Bristol to throw qualification for the semi-finals wide open.

The second Semi-Final, taking place in Derby on Thursday 20 July, will be between the second and third placed teams in the group, with the teams finishing first and fourth facing off in Bristol two days earlier.

With the top five in the standings all within one point of each other, it’s all to play for and tickets are still available for England’s match with New Zealand in Derby on Wednesday 12 July; 10.30am start.

Chasing 260 for semi-final qualification, Australia struggled to keep up with the rate despite Ellyse Perry’s third successive half-century, making 70 from 86 balls.

Alex Hartley (2-31) troubled the Australian top order with her variation, taking two wickets including Captain Meg Lanning, as England’s 259 for eight proved enough to get the win and send them top of the table.

“What a win, I’ve not got many words, it’s just absolutely fantastic and I just wish it was the final and not a group game,” said Hartley as England reached eight points.

“I bowled well in the other group games, for me it’s about bowling on the stumps and keeping it simple and I did that today, it was the nice to get the reward.

“We’ve got to take each game as it comes, we’re onto New Zealand now and it’s a game we’re really looking forward to.

“This win puts us in a great position, hopefully moving on to the semi-finals and now we can take it as it comes.”

Ahead of the next round of matches, these are the possible qualification scenarios:

•  West Indies, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are all out.
• If England beat New Zealand they are through.
• If either New Zealand or South Africa lose then the winner of India v Australia is through.
• If South Africa win and New Zealand and India both lose they are through (as NZ and India play each other in the last game so both won’t be able to progress to 9 points).
• If South Africa and New Zealand win neither are guaranteed to progress and may need to also win their final matches.
• If South Africa and Australia lose New Zealand are through if they win as SA and Australia play each other in the last game and won’t both be able to get to 9 points.

Tickets are available for all games in Derby, with prices starting from just £10 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online via icc-cricket.com/tickets.

For more information about ICC Women’s World Cup, please call 01332 388 101 or email [email protected].