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There is "absolutely certain" that England will advance to the Women's World Cup final, remarked former spinner Alex Hartley after Nat Sciver-Brunt's side decisively beat New Zealand to finish the initial phase.

The win saw England secure second place in the standings after defending champions Australia, and they are scheduled to meet South Africa in the initial semi-final clash on Wednesday.

The match takes place in Guwahati, the identical location where England thumped the Proteas in their initial game by dismissing them for a mere 69 runs.

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

"This location benefits their bowling attack, the slow tracks and the manner they use their slow bowlers.

"I just have a feeling, and there is complete conviction that England will defeat South Africa and progress to the title decider."

Addressing Early Struggles

England have dealt with some uneven performances with the bat during the competition, notably against less-fancied teams Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have also displayed growth under tense situations by squeaking past co-hosts India in a four-run thriller.

In contrast, South Africa finished their group stage with a heavy loss by Australia, suffering another batting failure to slow bowling as they were dismissed for 97, but Hartley also cautioned that England must not underestimate their competitors lightly.

"England are a stronger unit, but that is no guarantee that South Africa might not enjoy their success.

"We have seen it in the Twenty20 World Cup when they eliminated Australia last year, so England must not enter the game assuming victory - but they are indeed the favored contender."

The England women's team have overcome South Africa in the final four of earlier versions of the World Cup, before their memorable victory over India at Lord's in 2017 and setback by Australia in 2022.

Bowling Strength

England's bowling has impressed since the outset of the competition, especially the spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean - though they will be anxiously monitoring on the fitness of the Ecclestone after she injured her shoulder joint against the Kiwi side.

The batting line-up presented more concerns but openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who added their fourth partnership of over fifty runs at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have started to find their form at a opportune time.

"We've seen a lot of questions about the two openers at the start of the batting being able to handle the incoming delivery," Hartley added.

"Tammy has made a shift and is positioning herself on off-stump now and she seems a lot more assured. She likely desired to score more against New Zealand but that starting combination is just finding its rhythm as we are entering the nitty gritty.

"That is ideal - you want to be playing your peak performance as you are getting into the knockout phase."

Batting Depth

The captain and Nat Sciver-Brunt have been impressive throughout but there are still question marks over the lower middle order, which coach Charlotte Edwards rejigged against New Zealand but they were not required in the comprehensive success.

The all-rounder, who had difficulties at batting at six with 36 runs in several games, was dropped for Danni Wyatt-Hodge while Alice Capsey was positioned to come in at number five instead of the seventh position, swapping with the underperforming Sophia Dunkley.

England should be equipped to modify their game as they go back to the spin-conducive pitch of Guwahati from the less responsive tracks of Indore and Vizag, while the other semi-finalists contest the second semi in Navi Mumbai, which is additionally staging the title decider on the second of November.