State of Play: Three CWC25 semi-final spots locked in
With three teams reaching the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-finals, one final spot remains. Here's how all eight teams are poised as we near the end of the group stage.
Healy's surprise at qualifying for semi-finals | CWC25
Australia skipper Alyssa Healy was surprised to hear her side had qualified for the knockout stages of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup following their 10-wicket victory over Bangladesh
1. Australia – 9 points, +1.818 NRR, Qualified
The Aussies are one of just two unbeaten teams at the World Cup and the first side to have confirmed their place in the knockout stages.
They opened their account with a win over New Zealand and have also beaten Pakistan and most recently India and Bangladesh, while their matchup with Sri Lanka was washed out.
Their performance against hosts India was a signature victory, completing a mammoth run chase of 331 runs - the highest all time in Women's ODIs and their 10-wicket triumph over Bangladesh days later was just as impressive.
It’s the quality depth that defines Australia’s squad, with a plethora of options in both disciplines that set the team up for a deep run. Skipper Alyssa Healy has scored consecutive centuries against India and Bangladesh in an ominous sign for other sides.
Another World Cup century for Alyssa Healy | Player Highlights | CWC25
Australia captain Alyssa Healy made it two centuries on the trot at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup with an unbeaten 117 against Bangladesh
2. England – 9 points, +1.490 NRR, Qualified
England are the only side apart from Australia that are yet to taste a defeat in the tournament. Opening up with a dominant win over the Proteas and also proving too strong for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, England secured their qualification after a narrow win over India.
They looked to be in trouble against Pakistan in Colombo on Wednesday, with some inclement weather allowing the side to remain unbeaten and move within striking distance of semi-final qualification before their win against India.
While skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt has consistently delivered match-winning performances, Heather Knight - who scored a fine ton against India - also appears to be peaking at the right time. As England gear up for the knockouts, opposition teams will need to keep a close eye on their former captain.
England, however, have tough games remaining with matches against Australia and New Zealand to determine their final position in the standings.
England hold nerve to beat India in thriller | Match Highlights | CWC25
A magnificent comeback from England as they script a memorable win over India to qualify for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-finals.
3. South Africa – 8 points, -0.440 NRR, Qualified
The Proteas became the second team to seal their spot in the knockouts after New Zealand and Pakistan shared points in Colombo.
South Africa have had arguably the most compelling journey at the World Cup so far, having rebounded superbly from a heavy defeat to England. The Laura Wolvaardt-led side bounced back with successive wins against New Zealand, India, Bangladesh and most recently Sri Lanka to rise, and are currently second on the standings with two games left to play.
Tazmin Brits hit a century against New Zealand, captain Laura Wolvaardt showed promising signs (70 off 111) against India in what is sure to have their upcoming opponents on high alert, while all-rounder Nadine de Klerk has proven the match-winner with superb efforts during recent run chases for the Proteas.
South Africa clinch nail-biter against Bangladesh | Match Highlights | CWC25
Another thrilling win for the Proteas as they edge past Bangladesh in a last over finish in Visakhapatnam at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.
4. India – 4 points, +0.526 NRR
One of only three teams to boast a positive net run rate at the World Cup, India's knockout ambitions took a hit after their recent loss to England.
The hosts have lost three games on the bounce to South Africa, Australia and England, but their fighting displays have kept them in the race. They need to win both remaining games to stay in contention for the semis.
While being on the wrong end of the result, their performance against Australia and against England showed they have batting lineup capable of going all the way.
Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol and Richa Ghosh have been their major contributors with the bat, while Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana and Kranti Gaud have all proven effective wicket takers. The hosts have plenty of potential match-winners as the tournament stakes keep rising.
Smriti Mandhana's flamboyant knock | Player Highlights | CWC25
Watch Smriti Mandhana at her fluent best in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash between India and Australia.
5. New Zealand – 4 points, -0.245 NRR
The White Ferns had to contend with sharing points alongside Pakistan in their most recent outing. The defending ICC Women's T20 World Cup winners currently have four points in their tally with two games left.
Having been boosted with a victory against Bangladesh, New Zealand's quest to reach the semis have taken a hit since, with persistent rain meaning their fixtures against Sri Lanka and Pakistan were abandoned.
Their final two games against India and England remain must-win outings for the White Ferns, who are currenty fifth in the eight-team standings and have the same points tally as India.
Captain Sophie Devine, who is in sparkling form with the bat at the tournament, averaging 86.66 from three knocks to be the leading run-scorer across all teams, will be pivotal to their semi-finals push.
New Zealand off the mark with big win | Match Highlights | CWC25
The White Ferns register a comprehensive win over Bangladesh to win their first game at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.
6. Bangladesh – 2 points, -0.676 NRR
After a promising start to the tournament, beating Pakistan, Bangladesh have suffered four successive losses where their batters have come under scrutiny.
They showed some good signs against South Africa in Vizag on Monday and then again against reigning champions Australia at the same venue three days later, but fell short of victory on both occasions.
7. Sri Lanka – 2 points, -1.564 NRR
Sri Lanka's only points so far have come via washouts, though they may have been a tad unlucky having to share the spoils after they posted a decent total of 258/6 against New Zealand.
They have suffered defeats to India in the tournament opener, England and South Africa and will need a string of results to go their way to reach the knockout stages.
Inoka Ranaweera has been their major bowling contributor, already up to seven wickets and counting.
8. Pakistan – 2 point, -1.887 NRR
For a second game in a row, Pakistan shared points with the opposition as rain had the final say in Colombo for their game against New Zealand.
The second winless team at the tournament, Pakistan have lost games to Bangladesh, India and Australia. But their effort against the favoured Aussies was valiant, putting their batting lineup under real pressure in Colombo.
They looked in good shape for a victory against England in Colombo before rain intervened. Pakistan had batted 25 overs in their next outing against New Zealand, putting together 92 runs on the board at the loss of five wickets before the match was abandoned.
The recent results mean the Fatima Sana-led side also rely on a number of favourable results in other fixtures to have a shot at making it to the knockout stages.