Jones powers England to emphatic victory over New Zealand
It is "without question" that England will reach the World Cup championship match, remarked World Cup winner Alex Hartley after Nat Sciver-Brunt's side decisively beat New Zealand to wrap up the initial phase.
Their success saw England end as runners-up in the table after title holders Australia, and they are scheduled to meet South Africa in the opening knockout match on Wednesday.
They are playing in Guwahati, the identical location where England dominated the Proteas in their initial game by dismissing them for a mere 69 runs.
"England will take great assurance into their match against South Africa," Hartley, a World Cup winner, told listeners.
"Guwahati suits their bowling attack, the slow tracks and the way they utilize their spin bowlers.
"I just have a feeling, and there is no doubt in my mind that England will overcome South Africa and progress to the title decider."
Resolving Inconsistencies
The English team have surmounted some uneven performances with the batting during the competition, particularly against weaker opponents Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have also shown improvement under tense situations by narrowly defeating the Indian team in a close contest.
In contrast, South Africa concluded their preliminary phase with a comprehensive beating by Australia, experiencing another innings meltdown to spin as they were skittled for 97, but Hartley also advised that England must not underestimate their competitors without caution.
"The England side are a stronger unit, but that does not imply that South Africa can't have their moment.
"It has happened before in the T20 World Cup when they eliminated Australia last year, so England cannot go into the game overconfident - but they are indeed the favored contender."
England have beaten South Africa in the final four of the last two tournaments of the World Cup, before their famous win over India at Lord's in 2017 and defeat by Australia in 2022.
Bowling Strength
Their bowling unit has excelled since the start of the World Cup, especially the three spinners of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean - though they will be carefully watching on the health of the Ecclestone after she hurt her shoulder joint against the Kiwi side.
The top and middle order was less assured but openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who recorded their fourth stand of over fifty runs at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have started to find their form at a opportune time.
"We've seen a lot of doubts about Jones and Beaumont at the start of the batting being able to handle the in-swinging ball," Alex Hartley continued.
"Tammy has made a shift and is batting on off-stump now and she appears a lot more at ease. She might have hoped to score more against New Zealand but that opening partnership is just starting to tick as we are approaching the crucial phase.
"That is ideal - you strive to be producing your top form as you are entering the latter stages."
Middle Order
The captain and Sciver-Brunt have been consistent throughout but there are remaining doubts over the lower middle order, which head coach Edwards rejigged against New Zealand but they were not needed in the comfortable victory.
Emma Lamb, who had difficulties at number six with a modest return in several games, was dropped for her replacement while the young batter was listed to bat at the fifth spot rather than the seventh position, swapping with the struggling Sophia Dunkley.
England must be prepared to adjust as they revisit the slow, spin-friendly surface of Guwahati from the less responsive tracks of Indore and Vizag, while the other semi-finalists battle in the other semi-final in Navi Mumbai, which is also the venue for the title decider on November 2.
