Cricket World Cup: England crush Pakistan in Christchurch

Impressive England swept aside Pakistan to move closer to a place in the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup.

On a green pitch in Christchurch, the defending champions dismissed Pakistan for just 105 then raced to the target inside 20 overs.

Pace bowler Katherine Brunt, transformed from the figure who has struggled for form in this tournament, took a wicket with the first ball of the match on the way to 3-17.

Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone also picked up three to become the leading wicket-taker in the competition.

Opener Danni Wyatt crashed 76 from 68 balls, adding an unbroken stand of 87 with captain Heather Knight to race to a nine-wicket win.

England climb into the top four of the round-robin group for the first time and will definitely reach the semi-finals if they beat Bangladesh in Wellington on Sunday.

In Thursday's other game, West Indies had reduced South Africa to 61-4 before rain forced an abandonment.

The point apiece confirms South Africa's place in the last four and leaves the Windies waiting on the Proteas' game against India on Monday.

An India victory would see them through, while a South Africa win would open the door for West Indies.

This was England's most complete performance of the World Cup, albeit against a side who had never come close to troubling them in 10 previous meetings.

Knight's team could have been eliminated after three opening defeats, and again when they almost made a mess of a run-chase against New Zealand, but this was a sign of improvement as the tournament reaches a decisive stage.

Their bowlers exploited the helpful conditions, the fielding efficient enough to effect two run-outs and the chase was ruthless.

Most pleasing was the performance of Brunt, who took her first wickets since the