Women's Under-19 World Cup wrap: Five wickets for Ellie Anderson as semi-final line-up locked in

The Cricketer reports on events at the ICC Women's Under-19 World Cup in South Africa

The inaugural edition of the Under-19s Women's T20 World Cup is underway in South Africa, two years after originally planned. Today was the final day of the Super Sixes.

Sixteen teams are taking part in the 2023 edition, split across four groups of four. Following a single round-robin, the top three teams in each group will progress into the Super Six stage, from which the top two sides in Group 1 and Group 2 will advance to the semi-finals.

The final will take place in Potchefstroom on Sunday, January 29.

^{Grace Scrivens scored yet another half-century for England (ICC)}

England 179-4, West Indies 84-8 - England won by 95 runs

England cruised to a 95-run victory over West Indies to secure top spot in group 2.

Captain Grace Scrivens (56 off 43) once again led from the front with the bat, scoring her third consecutive half-century as her side closed on 179 for 4.

Seren Smale (28 not out off 19) and Charis Pavely (29 off 16) also made important contributions, including sharing a 48-run partnership off 26 balls at the death, while a hefty helping of extras (23) provided a significant boost to the run column.

Ashmini Munisar was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2 for 32, while there were also wickets for Asabi Callender (1 for 28) and Abini St Jean (1 for 32).

In reply, West Indies were in all kinds of choas after seven overs, slipping to 23 for 4 following wickets for Ellie Anderson, Alexa Stonehouse (two) and Sophia Smale.

Djenaba Joseph and Callender offered some middle order resistance, putting on 47 runs (54 balls) for the fifth wicket before the latter was stumped by Maddie Ward off Anderson.

That wicket triggered something of an implosion, with West Indies slipping from 70 for 4 to 76 for 8 as Anderson completed her five-for - she finished with figures of 5 for 12.

They made it safely to the end of the innings without further incident, with Joseph not out on 44 (42). 

^{Rabeya Khan picked up three wickets for Bangladesh (ICC)}

United Arab Emirates 69-9, Bangladesh 73-5 - Bangladesh won by five wickets

Bangladesh raced to a five-wicket victory over the UAE but fell short in their bid to reach the semi-finals after failing to overhaul Australia's net run rate. They finish the tournament in third position in group 1, with a net run rate of 1.226 compared to Australia's 2.210.

In Potchefstroom, Rabeya Khan (3 for 14) picked up three wickets as the UAE were restricted to 69 for 9 from their 20 overs. Dipa Khatun also impressed with the ball, taking 1 for 5 from three overs, while Lavanya Keny (29 off 46) and Mahika Gaur (17 off 27) were the only players to reach double figures for UAE.

A flurry of powerplay wickets gave the UAE some cheer but the departures proved to be little more than hiccups en route to a resounding win for Bangladesh, with Shorna Akter blasting 38 runs from 19 balls to help her side over the line in 9.1 overs.

Samaira Dharnidharka (2 for 18), Indhuja Nandakumar (2 for 34) and Gaur (1 for 16) were the wicket-takers.

^{Djenaba Joseph scored a resilient 44 not out for West Indies against England (ICC)}

Semi-final line-up confirmed

Following the completion of the Super 6 stage, the four semi-finalists are locked in.

From group 1, India and Australia secured the top-two spots, pipping Bangladesh and South Africa, while in group 2, England's superior net run rate helped them leapfrog New Zealand and take first place.

On January 27, India will therefore face New Zealand at Senwes Park (10am local time/8am GMT) before England take on Australia (1.45pm local time/11.45am GMT).

Both England and New Zealand are yet to be defeated.