\n<\/p>\n
They might be underdogs, but they possess two of the world’s best.<\/b><\/p>\n
England were not favourites going into this World Cup, but if captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was fully fit and firing, and if spinner Sophie Ecclestone could exploit turning pitches at her disposal, there was a nagging sense of ‘what if?’. <\/p>\n
Both hopes have come to fruition after their three opening games, with England sitting top of the table unbeaten and, though there was a near-miss against Bangladesh, it has mostly been smooth sailing.<\/p>\n
Yes, the fixtures have been kind to Sciver-Brunt’s side, but they are doing all that is in their control, which is to simply keep winning.<\/p>\n
Beat Pakistan on Wednesday, as they should, and they will be in a very promising position to seal a semi-final spot without having yet played favourites India or Australia.<\/p>\n
Regarding the latter of those two teams, England have scars after the 16-0 Ashes thumping at the beginning of the year, but under coach Charlotte Edwards they are beginning to heal.<\/p>\n
Sciver-Brunt is the quiet, composed captain who lets her cricket do the talking – exemplified by a sparkling 117 against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday. Her ability to bowl again after injury has also completely rejuvenated the balance of the side.<\/p>\n
Her fifth World Cup century is a women’s cricket record, celebrated by honouring her baby boy Theo in the crowd – testament to a life-changing year that has seen her become a mum and England captain in the space of a few months.<\/p>\n
Ecclestone, who took 4-17 in the Sri Lanka win, is the teenage prodigy who rapidly became world number one, still just 26 years old, but already fifth on the list of all-time wicket-takers in the women’s game.<\/p>\n