England Women vs India Women: Three key battles

We take a look at where the ICC Women's World T20 semi-final between England and India could be decided

Having lost to the West Indies in the final game of the group stage, England will face India in the semi-final of the ICC Women's World T20 on Friday. The Cricketer looks at some of the key battles which could be the deciding factor in the match...

Anya Shrubsole vs Harmanpreet Kaur

England have looked to Anya Shrubsole on a number of occasions over the years, the World Cup final most notably, and she has been one of England's biggest performers during the ICC Women's World T20 as well. She is England's leading wicket taker at the tournament with seven wickets in three matches at an astonshing average of 5.00.

On the Indian side, captain Harmanpreet Kaur kicked the tournament off by scoring her maiden T20 hundred, and the highest score in the tournament's history. Though her scores have not continued to be quite as huge, she is still the leading run-scorer in the tournament, and Smriti Mandhana has also performed strongly.

Both have been the standout players for England and India at the tournament, and their individual performances could well decide how the match goes.

^{Anya Shrubsole has taken seven wickets}

England middle order

A combination of rain and very good England bowling have meant that England's middle-order have only had one oppurtunity to bat during the tournament.

That one chance came against the West Indies and showed some frailties as they lost three very cheap wickets before a lower-order partnership of Sophia Dunkley and Shrubsole gave them something to defend.

If England are to have a good chance of success, their middle order need to be able to perform as they cannot rely on another lower-order score.

^{Sophia Dunkley saved England's blushes against the West Indies}

India's spinners

The spin trio of Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav and Dayalan Hemalatha have been fantastic for India throughout the tournament and have taken a combined 20 wickets.

Many of these wickets have been top-order batters, and if India can get through them cheaply to the more frail middle order, then they could cause England a lot of problems.

They pose the bigeest threat to England, who will have to play them effectivelly if they are to have any chance of winning the match.

^{India's spin attack has taken a combination of 20 wickets}

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.