Women’s World Cup 2025: Have England improved under Charlotte Edwards?

Edwards said before the tournament that the semifinals were the minimum of her expectations, so that metric represents a tick in her box.

But ultimately, finishing second in the group stage table was a satisfaction for England.

They lurched from brilliant to baffling. The aforementioned defeat of South Africa was followed by a stumbling victory over Bangladesh, thanks in large part to the help of the DRS.

Rennes saved their bluff against Pakistan, the worst team in the tournament, before excelling impressively in a close contest against hosts India.

The bubble burst soon after, when Australia recorded another crushing win.

Throughout, the same trend emerged – their bowling, especially their spinners, was excellent but their batting suffered terribly.

They were 78-5 and 78-7 against Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively, the bottom two teams in the tournament, with thrilling wins and masterful coverage of worrying cracks.

The reliance on Heather Knight and Sciver-Brunt remains, with added concerns about the batting depth coming through the ranks to challenge them.

This will likely be the last 50 World Cup for Knight, Sciver-Brunt, Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont. Who are the names knocking on the door to replace her?

Being on the receiving end of Wolvaardt’s attack, it was understandable for hitters’ minds to be a little confused.

There was some sympathy for Jones, having kept wicket in the heat for 50 runs, and was now tasked with chasing a record 320 – only to get lovely support from Marizanne Kapp’s warrior-like second ball.

But don’t forget that England chose to bowl first.

Knight and Beaumont flirted off the field, giving Siver-Brent some hope with a fluent 64 but the match went with it, and therein lies the gap between England and the best.

If Australia had been in this position, they would likely have won.

However, it also stands to reason that South Africa is similarly reliant on its senior players.

The difference is that they stood up when the team needed them.