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There is "absolutely certain" that the England women's cricket team will advance to the World Cup championship match, remarked ex-cricketer Alex Hartley following Nat Sciver-Brunt's side thrashed New Zealand to wrap up the preliminary round.

This victory enabled England secure second place in the standings trailing reigning winners Australia, and they will face South Africa in the initial semi-final clash on Wednesday.

They will compete in Guwahati, the exact ground where England overpowered the Proteas in their first match by dismissing them for only 69.

"The England squad will bring so much confidence into their match against South Africa," Alex Hartley, a title holder from 2017, informed listeners.

"This location benefits their bowling attack, the spin-friendly surfaces and the manner they use their slow bowlers.

"My instinct tells me, and there is complete conviction that England will defeat South Africa and make it through to the final."

Overcoming Early Struggles

England have dealt with some inconsistencies with the bat during the tournament, particularly against less-fancied teams Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have also displayed growth under pressure by narrowly defeating co-hosts India in a nail-biting finish.

Contrastingly, South Africa ended their preliminary phase with a heavy loss by Australia, suffering another batting collapse to spin bowling as they were dismissed for 97, but the former spinner also warned that England ought not to disregard their rivals without caution.

"England are a better team, but that does not imply that South Africa can't have their day.

"It has happened before in the short-format World Cup when they ousted Australia last year, so England cannot go into the game overconfident - but they are the stronger team."

England have beaten South Africa in the semi-finals of both previous editions of the World Cup, prior to their famous win over India at Lord's in 2017 and loss by Australia in 2022.

Bowling Prowess

The English bowling attack has impressed since the start of the World Cup, particularly the spin bowling unit of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean - though they will be carefully watching on the health of the first-mentioned after she damaged her upper arm against the New Zealand.

Their batting order raised more questions but openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who achieved their fourth collaboration of 50-plus at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have started to find their form at a ideal time.

"We've seen a lot of questions about the two openers at the start of the batting being able to play the in-swinging ball," Alex Hartley continued.

"Tammy has adjusted her technique and is standing outside off-stump now and she looks a lot more at ease. She would have wanted to make a bigger contribution against New Zealand but that opening partnership is just beginning to click as we are getting down to the crucial phase.

"This is perfect - you want to be playing your peak performance as you are reaching the latter stages."

Batting Depth

Heather Knight and Sciver-Brunt have been consistent in every match but there are still question marks over the lower middle order, which head coach Edwards reshuffled against New Zealand but they were not required in the comprehensive success.

The all-rounder, who found it tough at the sixth position with a modest return in five innings, was dropped for her replacement while Alice Capsey was slotted to come in at the fifth spot in place of the seventh position, exchanging places with the underperforming Sophia Dunkley.

The squad need to be ready to adapt as they go back to the turning track of Guwahati from the less responsive tracks of Indore and Vizag, while the other semi-finalists contest the second semi in Navi Mumbai, which is additionally staging the title decider on 2 November.