Time: 31 Mar, 6.30 AM IST
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Pitch Report
Two out of three games at this venue have been won by the team chasing. An odd shower or two can be expected, but nothing menacing is forecast.
Teams
Probable XI for England: Tammy Beaumont, Danielle Wyatt, Heather Knight (c), Natalie Sciver, Amy Jones (wk), Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Charlotte Dean, Freya Davies
Probable XI for South Africa: Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus (c), Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Trisha Chetty (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
With 5 fifties, Laura Wolvaardt is the leading run-getter of the tournament (433 at 61.86). She also slammed 77 against England earlier in the competition.
After starting the tournament with an unbeaten century, Natalie Sciver has been consistently contributing with the willow. Her 273 at 55 are the most for England.
Not only is Sophie Ecclestone the leading wicket-taker (14) in this World Cup but she also comes into the semi-final at the back of three consecutive three-wicket hauls.
If South Africa are to reach the finals, they would need early and regular breakthroughs from their spearheads Ayabonga Khaka and Shabnim Ismail. Between them, they have taken 22 wickets in this World Cup.
Smart Picks
Barring a few single-digit scores initially, Heather Knight has been regularly chipping in with the bat. With the ball too, she picked wickets in her last two matches.
After scoring 74, 46, and 62 in the first three games of the tournament, Tammy Beaumont hasn’t scored above 40 in her last four outings. That said, she will take confidence from the fact that her 62 came against South Africa in the league stages.
Despite missing out on the first few matches, Charlotte Dean has made a huge impact with the ball. The off-spinner has bagged 10 wickets in her last four games. Given her impressive run, she remains one of the preferred picks in fantasy cricket.
Marizanne Kapp will have fond memories of her five-wicket haul against England earlier in the competition. Besides striking with the ball, she has also scored 339 runs. The defending champions will be wary of her all-rounder threat.
As far as wicketkeepers are concerned, both Amy Jones and Trisha Chetty have been useful behind the stumps. While the English wicketkeeper has inflicted 8 dismissals, the South African has 9 to her credit.
Match Preview
Both sides have met 39 times, out of which England have won 29 and South Africa 9. However, South Africa recently beat England in the league stages of the ongoing World Cup and that will boost their confidence ahead of this knockout clash. All said, England are the defending champions and will fancy their chances of retaining their crown.
