Heather Knight’s century and some nerveless death bowling helped England to a narrow four-run win to leave India in danger of missing the final four<\/p>\n
England have joined holders Australia in the World Cup semi-finals after keeping their nerve to beat India by four runs in Indore.<\/p>\n
Chasing a winning target of 289, tournament co-host India were on course for victory for much of their innings on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 88, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur hit a run-a-ball 70.<\/p>\n
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt picked up 2-47 in eight overs, while left-arm spinner Linsey Smith bowled a tight spell \u00a0– 1-40 in 10 overs, including Mandhana’s vital wicket – as England applied the brakes to pull off a stunning win.<\/p>\n
India finished with 6-284 in 50 overs in front of a shocked home crowd at the Holkar Stadium. It was their third straight loss in the tournament.<\/p>\n
It all came after England had opted to bat and put on 8-288 in their 50 overs, thanks to Heather Knight’s 109 off 91 balls.<\/p>\n
Player of the match Knight, who was playing her 300th international, said: “I got myself in and put down the accelerator. It felt like we needed 300 on that pitch but it was frustrating to not get there in the end.<\/p>\n
\u00a0“I was desperate to put in a statement performance for my 300th and I am pleased to do that.”<\/p>\n
England have joined defending champions Australia and South Africa in the semi-finals with a fourth win in five games. They are unbeaten in the tournament and climbed to second place in the points table.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The four-time champions next play leaders Australia on Wednesday at the same venue.<\/p>\n
India remain fourth with four points from five games but now need a massive turn-around in form against New Zealand (Thursday) and Bangladesh (Sunday) in their final two games at Navi Mumbai.<\/p>\n
Co-host Sri Lanka take on Bangladesh, also at Navi Mumbai, on Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The semi-finals will be played on October 29 and 30, with the final on November 2.<\/p>\n