England take on New Zealand in Mumbai today knowing that even a victory may not be enough to earn them a place in the final of the women's cricket World Cup.
The champions came to the tournament holding high hopes of an encore but things got off on the wrong foot with a surprise defeat to Sri Lanka in their opening fixture.
Victory over the West Indies followed but a second defeat, to confirmed finalists Australia, in the Super Sixes left them little margin for error.
England blew away South Africa on Sunday in comprehensive fashion to keep their hopes alive - and their net run rate (NRR) competitive - but anything less than success against the White Ferns will leave them consigned to the third-place play-off.
Even a victory would not guarantee England a place in the showpiece. That would leave England with three wins and an NRR better than their current 1.079, but they would still be casting nervous glances towards the match between Australia and the West Indies.
A win for their Ashes rivals would see England level with the Windies on six points and result in a straight run-rate calculation, meaning the margins as well as the result would be crucial in each match.
Defeat for Australia, meanwhile, would see the West Indies into the final.
The issue is a complicated one for Australia, who may prefer to face the lower-ranked West Indies, but will be mindful of giving up their 100 per cent record.
England will look to the likes of Charlotte Edwards and Arran Brindle - their top-scorers in the tournament with 132 and 111 runs respectively - to put runs on the board.
The bowling attack, meanwhile, is led by Katherine Brunt (11 wickets at 11.36) and the on-form Anya Shrubsole (13 wickets at 7.23).
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Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Scorebox
Sharjah Wanderers 20-25 Dubai Tigers (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries Gormley, Penalty
Cons Flaherty
Pens Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons Caldwell 2
Pens Caldwell, Cross
Calls
Directed by: Fede Alvarez
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
4/5
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
Company%20profile
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The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
TOURNAMENT INFO
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Thursday results
UAE beat Kuwait by 86 runs
Qatar beat Bahrain by five wickets
Saudi Arabia beat Maldives by 35 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, third-place playoff – Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
3pm, final – UAE v Qatar
