Jones drives the England team to emphatic triumph over the White Ferns
There is "without question" that England will reach the Women's World Cup final, remarked World Cup winner Alex Hartley after Nat Sciver-Brunt's side decisively beat New Zealand to finish the group stage.
This victory saw England end as runners-up in the standings behind reigning winners Australia, and they are set to play South Africa in the opening knockout match on Wednesday.
They will compete in Guwahati, the same venue where England thumped the Proteas in their initial game by dismissing them for a mere 69 runs.
"England will carry tremendous self-belief into their encounter against South Africa," Alex Hartley, a title holder from 2017, shared with listeners.
"Guwahati favors their bowling unit, the slow tracks and the manner they utilize their spin bowlers.
"My instinct tells me, and there is complete conviction that England will overcome South Africa and progress to the championship game."
Overcoming Early Struggles
The English team have overcome some stutters with the batting during the competition, especially against less-fancied teams Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have also shown improvement under tense situations by edging past the Indian team in a nail-biting finish.
In contrast, South Africa finished their group stage with a brutal defeat by Australia, enduring another innings meltdown to spin bowling as they were dismissed for 97, but the former spinner also warned that England should not take their opponents lightly.
"The England side are a stronger unit, but that is no guarantee that South Africa can't have their moment.
"We witnessed it in the T20 World Cup when they knocked out Australia last year, so England cannot approach the game overconfident - but they are the favored contender."
England have defeated South Africa in the semi-finals of the last two tournaments of the tournament, before their memorable victory over India at Lord's in 2017 and setback by Australia in 2022.
Bowling Prowess
England's bowling has excelled since the beginning of the World Cup, particularly the spin bowling unit of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean - though they will be anxiously monitoring on the condition of the Ecclestone after she hurt her upper arm against the New Zealand.
The top and middle order was less assured but top-order players Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who achieved their fourth collaboration of more than fifty at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have started to find their rhythm at a very convenient time.
"We've seen a lot of concerns about the two openers at the start of the batting being able to face the incoming delivery," Alex Hartley noted.
"Beaumont has changed her approach and is standing outside off-stump now and she appears a lot more comfortable. She would have wanted to get more runs against New Zealand but that opening partnership is just beginning to click as we are getting down to the crucial phase.
"This is perfect - you strive to be producing your best cricket as you are getting into the latter stages."
Lineup Adjustments
Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt have been consistent all tournament but there are remaining doubts over the batting middle order, which the team management rejigged against New Zealand but they were not needed in the comfortable victory.
The all-rounder, who found it tough at the sixth position with limited scoring in five innings, was omitted for her replacement while the young batter was slotted to appear at number five instead of number seven, exchanging places with the underperforming Sophia Dunkley.
England should be equipped to adapt as they go back to the slow, spin-friendly surface of Guwahati from the flatter pitches of Indore and Vizag, while India and Australia play the second semi in Navi Mumbai, which is also hosting the title decider on the second of November.
