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It is "without question" that the England women's cricket team will advance to the World Cup championship match, stated former spinner Alex Hartley following Nat Sciver-Brunt's side thrashed New Zealand to wrap up the preliminary round.

This victory saw England finish second in the table after defending champions Australia, and they will face South Africa in the first semi-final on Wednesday.

They will compete in Guwahati, the exact ground where England thumped the Proteas in their initial game by skittling them for just 69.

"The England squad will carry tremendous self-belief into their match against South Africa," Hartley, a title holder from 2017, told listeners.

"Guwahati suits their bowling attack, the spin-friendly surfaces and the way they employ their spinners.

"I truly believe, and there is complete conviction that England will beat South Africa and make it through to the title decider."

Overcoming Inconsistencies

The English team have dealt with some stutters with the batting lineup during the tournament, notably against lower-ranked sides Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have also displayed growth under high-stakes moments by narrowly defeating co-hosts India in a close contest.

In contrast, South Africa concluded their preliminary phase with a heavy loss by Australia, enduring another batting collapse to spin as they were skittled for 97, but the former spinner also cautioned that England should not take their rivals lightly.

"The England side are a better team, but that does not imply that South Africa might not enjoy their moment.

"We witnessed it in the Twenty20 World Cup when they knocked out Australia last year, so England must not enter the game assuming victory - but they are indeed the better side."

The England women's team have defeated South Africa in the semi-finals of both previous editions of the competition, before their historic triumph over India at Lord's in 2017 and setback by Australia in 2022.

Spin Dominance

The English bowling attack has excelled since the start of the competition, notably the spin bowling unit of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean - though they will be nervously waiting on the fitness of the Ecclestone after she damaged her shoulder against the New Zealand.

Their batting order was less assured but top-order players Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who recorded their fourth stand of 50-plus at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have started to find their form at a opportune time.

"There have been a lot of questions about the two openers at the top of the order being able to face the in-swinger," Hartley noted.

"Beaumont has made a shift and is standing outside off-stump now and she looks a lot more assured. She would have wanted to score more against New Zealand but that first-wicket stand is just beginning to click as we are entering the decisive stage.

"This is perfect - you strive to be producing your peak performance as you are getting into the latter stages."

Batting Depth

Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt have been consistent throughout but there are remaining doubts over the batting middle order, which the team management reshuffled against New Zealand but they were not required in the comprehensive success.

Emma Lamb, who had difficulties at batting at six with 36 runs in five matches, was dropped for Danni Wyatt-Hodge while Alice Capsey was slotted to appear at the fifth spot in place of the seventh position, swapping with the underperforming Sophia Dunkley.

The squad should be equipped to adjust as they revisit the spin-conducive pitch of Guwahati from the more batting-friendly surfaces 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.