Cricket World Cup: England beat Bangladesh to reach semi-finals

England reached the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup with an efficient defeat of Bangladesh in Wellington.

The 100-run success at the Basin Reserve continued a strong resurgence from the defending champions, who have won four successive matches after beginning the tournament with three straight losses.

On a tired surface, England started with circumspection against a hard-working Bangladesh attack, at one stage finding themselves 96-4.

They were lifted to 234-6 by Sophia Dunkley, who made 67 with support from Amy Jones and Katherine Brunt.

Bangladesh, playing the final match of their first World Cup, never showed any serious intent in the chase.

Spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean took three wickets each as Bangladesh were dismissed for 134.

England will finish third or fourth in the group, depending on the result of Sunday's late game between India and South Africa.

India need to win in order to reach the last four and can only finish above England on net run-rate.

If England do slip behind India, they will meet tournament favourites Australia in Wellington on Wednesday (23:00 BST, Tuesday).

Two weeks ago, when England suffered a demoralising defeat by South Africa, the idea of having their fate in their own hands going into the meeting with Bangladesh was a best-case scenario.

Once victories over India, New Zealand and Pakistan were completed, it never seemed likely that Bangladesh would pose a great threat, even if they did give a fright to Australia on this ground two days ago.

Indeed, in their first one-day international meeting with Bangladesh, England had complete control for the majority of the contest and head to the semi-finals with the momentum of four successive victories.

England might have thought about