Australia, South Africa, England and West Indies are finally the four qualified team in Semi-final stage of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. Australia will face West Indies on March 30 while South Africa and England will take on each other in the second semi-final on March 31.
Australia are the favourites and currently unbeaten in the tournament. It will be a huge upset if they do not win the tournament. South Africa have emerged as the surprise package of the tournament, who have won five matches and only lost to Australia in the group stage. England had a terrible start to the tournament losing their first three matches but made a strong comeback and won their last four matches to qualify comfortably. West Indies had an up-and-down tournament and barely qualified. They started with two great wins over the hosts New Zealand and England but then lost to Australia, India, and Pakistan. They won a very close vital match against Bangladesh and their last match against South Africa was washed out which provided them a valuable point and helped them to go above India who also finished with three wins like them.
While the tournament final looks very reachable for Australia, they cannot take West Indies lightly. Fortune has been in favour of West Indies in this World Cup so far and the team has not let go of such opportunities as well. Their close-margin wins are proof to that. Moreover, some of their mainstays are in good form and have the potential to change the tone of the match. Australia would not like to have a repeat of the 2016 T20 World Cup that saw West Indies beating them to claim the title. Moreover, the star of the six-years old final match Hayley Matthews is at present at the top of form with 226 runs and 10 wickets to his name already in the ongoing World Cup.
If we talk about South Africa, we have seen their indominable energy even against the match against India where they had nothing to lose. The way they chased down to continue their good run in the tournament was commendable. South Africa only lost to Australia and would be eager to take a revenge if they make it to the final. Speaking about the second semi-final, South Africa already defeated England in the tournament once. But since then England have not looked back. Moreover, with four successive wins, they ended the group stage at the third position. South Africa therefore cannot expect a smooth win despite being favourites in the second knockout game.
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