Edwards stated earlier than the event the semi-finals had been her minimal expectation, so by that metric it’s a tick in her field.
However, finally, ending second within the group-stage desk flattered England.
They lurched from the sensible to the baffling. The aforementioned demolition of South Africa was adopted by the stuttering win over Bangladesh, largely with because of the assistance of DRS.
Rain saved their blushes in opposition to Pakistan, the worst workforce within the event, earlier than they impressively edged a closely-fought tie in opposition to hosts India.
The bubble was popped quickly after although, when Australia waltzed to a different crushing win.
All through, the identical pattern has unfolded – their bowling, significantly the spinners, has been glorious however their batting has been horribly uncovered.
They had been 78-5 and 78-7 in opposition to Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively, the event’s backside two groups, with an edgy win and a washout papering over regarding cracks.
The dependency on Heather Knight and Sciver-Brunt stays, with added issues across the batting depth coming by way of the ranks to problem them.
It’s more than likely this would be the final 50-over World Cup for Knight, Sciver-Brunt, Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont. Who’re the names pulling down the door to exchange them?
Having been on the receiving finish of Wolvaardt’s onslaught, it was comprehensible for the batters’ minds to be somewhat frazzled.
There was some sympathy for Jones, having stored wicket within the warmth for 50 overs and now tasked with chasing a document 320 – solely to get a ravishing nip-backer from the warrior-like Marizanne Kapp second ball.
However England, remember, selected to bowl first.
Knight and Beaumont flirted exterior the off stump, Sciver-Brunt gave some hope with a fluent 64 however the sport went together with her, and therein lies the gulf between England and one of the best.
Had Australia been in that place, they’d nonetheless have been favoured to win.
Nevertheless, it’s also a good argument that South Africa are equally depending on their huge gamers.
The distinction is theirs stood up when the workforce wanted them.
