England know whom they will face in the semi-finals of the 2025 Women’s World Cup, but their last league match against New Zealand is still of significance.
Women’s World Cup 2025: Updated points table after Australia v South Africa
Australia barely broke a sweat as they cruised to a win against South Africa even before the scheduled dinner time at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Alana King broke a plethora of records with figures of 7-2-18-7 to skittle out South Africa for 97 in 24 overs. Despite being 11-2, Australia cantered home inside 17 overs.
This was Australia’s 15th consecutive win (among completed games) at the World Cup. They topped the points table, and will now face fourth-placed India in the second semi-final at Navi Mumbai on October 30. England and South Africa will clash in the other semi-final, at Guwahati on October 29.
| Team | Mat | Won | Lost | NR | Pts | NRR |
| Australia | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | +2.102 |
| South Africa | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 10 | -0.379 |
| England | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | +1.024 |
| India | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | +0.628 |
| Sri Lanka | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -1.035 |
| New Zealand | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -0.490 |
| Pakistan | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | -2.651 |
| Bangladesh | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | -0.578 |
Why England cannot lose to New Zealand in their last league match
At first glance, it seems that the outcome of the match is redundant when it comes to the semi-final line-ups, which have already been decided. However, a defeat would result England finishing third, below South Africa.
1st Semi-Final, T.B.C. vs T.B.C.
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Rain has hampered multiple matches in this World Cup. Rain is predicted in Guwahati on the day of the semi-final. There are reserve days allocated to the semi-finals and the final, but rain is predicted on the following day as well.
What if there is no full match at all? The ICC Playing Conditions for the 2025 Women’s World Cup state: “If the match is abandoned or a no result at the end of the reserve day, then the team which proceeds to the Final will be the team that finished in the higher position in the league stage.”
Thus, if England lose to New Zealand and the semi-final does not yield a result, South Africa will go through to the final and England will not.
England have been at the receiving end of this: they were knocked out of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup when their semi-final against India, who had more points from the group stage, could not be played.
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