Cricket World Cup 2023: How England can still qualify for semi-finals?

Mathematically, England can still make it to the top four and qualify for the semi-finals.

Cricket World Cup 2023: How England can still qualify for semi-finals?

England Cricket Team (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

England are witnessing their worst campaign of the ODI World Cup as they are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table with one win out of six matches. However, mathematically, they can make it to the top four and qualify for the semi-finals.

England have three more matches to play and need victories in all. Three wins will give them a total of eight points, and the net run rate will also determine their chances to advance to the last four.

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If New Zealand beats South Africa, and Afghanistan beats the Netherlands, then England can no longer qualify for the semis. If they win the rest of the matches, they will need Australia and New Zealand to lose their remaining three matches.

Qualifying for the semi-finals is going to be tough for the defending champions. Even if they end up winning the three matches, Australia or New Zealand’s one win will end all the hopes for Jos Buttler and his men to make it to the top four of the points table.

England’s campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup

The defending champions kickstarted their campaign with a defeat to last year’s runners-up New Zealand. And though they secured an easy win over Bangladesh (by 137 runs), they got thumped by Afghanistan by 69 runs.

How England can still qualify for semi-finals?
England Cricket Team (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

England then faced a humiliating defeat from South Africa (by 229 runs) before producing a lackluster performance against Sri Lanka. Against Kusal Mendis and company, England posted just 156 runs and failed to defend it.

They lost to host team India then by 100 runs despite restricting Rohit Sharma and Co, to a small total of 229/9. Mohammed Shami’s four-wicket haul bundled out England for just 129 runs. England will next face Australia on November 4 in Ahmedabad.

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