South Africa will take on West Indies in the ongoing Women’s World Cup on March 24 (Thursday) and the outcome of that match will determine Indian team’s fortunes in the tournament.
Indian team's calculation
Mithali Raj-led India’s comfortable 110-run victory against Bangladesh helped the them secure a healthy net run rate (NRR) of +0.768. The Indian team currently have six points after playing six matches and they will face second-placed South Africa in their last league-stage fixture of the World Cup. Indian team’s victory against South Africa will guarantee them a berth in the semi-final.
On the other hand, South Africa have bagged eight points after playing five matches. West Indies are currently placed at fourth spot in the World Cup standings. Till now, they have played six matches and earned six points.
If South Africa beat West Indies then India can qualify even if they lose their last league match and stay on six points. In that scenario, India, New Zealand and West Indies will be on six points with defending champions England on eight points (if New Zealand win against Pakistan and England manage to claim two victories in their last two matches). In that case, Indian team’s NRR will be adequate to overcome New Zealand and West Indies to qualify for the next stage.
On the other hand, if South Africa lose against West Indies and India concede a defeat against South Africa then Australia, South Africa, England (depending on their results) and West Indies will qualify for the semi-final.
A crucial fixture
The South African team led by Sune Luus secured four victories out of their five matches in the league stage. Their one defeat came against Australia. In the last match, the South Africa had to suffer a five-wicket defeat against Australia as the Meg Lanning-led side successfully managed to chase 272 runs with 25 balls to spare.
South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt has been in stunning form in the ongoing World Cup as she scored 350 runs in five matches at an average of 70 and her team will depend a lot on her batting against West Indies.
On the other hand, West Indies won three matches out of their six matches in the ongoing World Cup.
West Indies' right-arm spinner Hayley Matthews picked up 10 wickets at an average of 20.80 in the tournament till now. Her terrific form will be key for the West Indies team in their clash against South Africa.
West Indies team led by Stafanie Taylor started their World Cup campaign on a positive note after they clinched two victories but later, three losses out of their last four matches landed them in trouble. In the rain-curtailed 20-over game against Pakistan, West Indies scored 89/7 which was chased down in 18.5 overs.
