After Australia, South Africa has also made it to the semi-finals of the Women’s ODI World Cup being played in New Zealand. South Africa have reached the last-4 on Thursday after the league stage match against West Indies was canceled due to rain. They have 9 points and they have to play the last league match against India on 27 March. On the other hand, West Indies will now pray for India’s defeat in this match.
Actually, South Africa and West Indies got one point each after this match was canceled. This takes Africa to nine points from six matches and become the second team after Australia to make it to the semi-finals. West Indies’ league stage matches are over and they are in third place with seven points from seven matches. On the other hand, England and India are in the same position at fourth and fifth place respectively.
How did India’s screw get stuck?
In fact, England’s net run rate has now become better than India and their last match is also against the weak Bangladesh team. But India is now in fifth place in the table and their last match will be against the strong South African team. In such a situation, it is imperative for India to win at all costs. Even if the match is cancelled, India will reach with 7 points because West Indies’ net run rate is less than India.
That is, there are only two ways that the Indian team will be able to qualify for the last-4. Apart from this, if India beats South Africa, Mithali Brigade’s ticket will be cut from the World Cup semi-finals. However, it is not such a difficult task. In the practice match, the Indian team defeated South Africa. But the Caribbean team will pray for India’s defeat.
Overall, two out of four teams have been confirmed for the semi-finals. Australia and South Africa have now reached the last-4. Probably the Kangaroo team will be first and the Proteas will be in second place. There is now a battle between West Indies, England and India for the third and fourth place. There are four matches left in the league stage, out of which March 27 is going to be a very important day.
On Sunday, March 27, England will face Bangladesh in the first match and India will face South Africa in the second match. Both are match deciders. If Bangladesh reverses and India loses to South Africa, then both will have 6-6 points. On the other hand, if New Zealand beat Pakistan by a huge margin on Saturday, then they will also get 6 points. Then the game will be of net run rate.
The semi-final matches of the current World Cup will be played on 30th and 31st March. After this, the final match will be held on 3 April. The first semi-final will take place at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The second semi-final will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Then on Sunday, April 3, the title match will be held on this ground in Christchurch.