Australia v West Indies
Wellington, today, 11am
Form
Australia played 7, won 7
West Indies played 7, won 3, lost 3, 1 no result
The oil
No-one is beating the Australians. The tournament front-runners have lost just one game in the past five years. They cruised through pool play mostly unchallenged and easily beat the West Indies by seven wickets during the round robin.
Key players
Australia’s Meg Lanning (358 runs at 59.66) and Rachael Haynes (344 at 57.33) are the second and third-leading scorers respectively. But there is so much talent throughout the batting line-up. The West Indies will lean on star all-rounder Hayley Matthews, who swatted a century first up to help sink New Zealand’s chances. She has taken 10 wickets and scored more than 200 runs so far.
Question mark
Key Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has a back complaint and has been ruled out. Will it matter? And will she be fit for the final if her team gets there?
Prediction
Australia should win this clash comfortably.
South Africa v England
Chch, tomorrow, 2pm
Form
South Africa played 7, won 5, lost 1, 1 no result
England played 7, won 4, lost 3
The oil
England was disappointing early but the defending champion has won four in a row to restore some confidence. South Africa has found a way to win the tight games and has some key players in terrific form.
Key players
South African opener Laura Wolvaardt has scored five half-centuries in seven innings and is the tournament’s leading scorer with 433 runs. Pace bowler Shabnim Ismail (11 wickets at 18.09) and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp (10 wickets, 182 runs) have been instrumental for South Africa as well. For England, opener Tammy Beaumont (243 runs at 34.71) has been steady and Nat Sciver (273 runs at 54.60) productive. Spin duo Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean have captured 24 wickets between them.
Question mark
How many more runs can South Africa squeeze out of Wolvaardt and Sune Luus? They’ve done the bulk of the scoring.
Prediction
England. Flipped a coin and it was heads.
