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There is "absolutely certain" that the England women's cricket team will advance to the World Cup championship match, stated ex-cricketer Alex Hartley after Nat Sciver-Brunt's side decisively beat New Zealand to conclude the group stage.

Their success saw England finish second in the table after defending champions Australia, and they are scheduled to meet South Africa in the first semi-final on Wednesday.

They will compete in Guwahati, the identical location where England dominated the Proteas in their tournament opener by bowling them out for only 69.

"The England squad will take great assurance into their encounter against South Africa," Hartley, a World Cup winner, shared with the broadcast.

"Guwahati favors their bowling attack, the slower pitches and the approach they utilize their spin bowlers.

"My instinct tells me, and there is absolute certainty that England will overcome South Africa and progress to the championship game."

Overcoming Batting Challenges

The English team have dealt with some inconsistencies with the bat during the competition, especially against weaker opponents Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have also shown improvement under pressure by narrowly defeating co-hosts India in a nail-biting finish.

Contrastingly, South Africa ended their initial round with a heavy loss by Australia, experiencing another innings meltdown to slow bowling as they were dismissed for 97, but Hartley also warned that England must not underestimate their competitors without caution.

"England are a superior side, but that does not mean that South Africa might not enjoy their success.

"It has happened before in the T20 World Cup when they eliminated Australia last year, so England cannot approach the game assuming victory - but they remain the favored contender."

The England women's team have defeated South Africa in the final four of both previous editions of the competition, prior to their memorable victory over India at Lord's in 2017 and setback by Australia in 2022.

Bowling Strength

The English bowling attack has stood out since the beginning of the competition, notably the spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean - though they will be nervously waiting on the fitness of the Ecclestone after she hurt her shoulder against the White Ferns.

The top and middle order presented more concerns but starting batters Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who added their fourth collaboration of more than fifty at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have begun to discover their groove at a ideal time.

"Many have raised a lot of doubts about the opening pair at the top of the order being able to play the in-swinging ball," Alex Hartley noted.

"Beaumont has changed her approach and is batting on off-stump now and she looks a lot more at ease. She might have hoped to score more against New Zealand but that first-wicket stand is just beginning to click as we are entering the crucial phase.

"That is ideal - you want to be playing your best cricket as you are getting into the latter stages."

Batting Depth

Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt have been consistent throughout but there are ongoing concerns over the middle order, which coach Charlotte Edwards adjusted against New Zealand but they were not required in the eight-wicket win.

The all-rounder, who found it tough at the sixth position with a modest return in five matches, was omitted for her replacement while the young batter was listed to come in at five instead of number seven, trading positions with the struggling Sophia Dunkley.

England should be equipped to modify their game as they revisit the slow, spin-friendly surface of Guwahati from the more batting-friendly surfaces of Indore and Vizag, while the other semi-finalists play the second semi in Navi Mumbai, which is also hosting the final on November 2.