Women's World Cup: England playing for more than a semi-final place

The good news is that England aren't of the Women's World Cup. Yet.

Four wins from their remaining four games, starting with India on Wednesday, could see them through.

They would probably end up in a tie for fourth place in the group and, because their opening three defeats have been tight, their net run-rate is reasonable.

But to salvage hope from such a bleak outlook would be akin to a turkey taking pleasure from receiving its first Christmas card.

Since almost pulling off an audacious win in the drawn Ashes Test, England have been abject, losing six consecutive one-day internationals.

The defence of the title they won in 2017 is starting to feel eerily similar to the last time an England team played a 50-over World Cup in this corner of the planet.

On that occasion, England's men were dumped out by a humiliating defeat by Bangladesh. It should be lost on no one that the women's last group fixture this time around is against the same country, and the tournament debutants currently sit ahead of them in the table.

Yes, four of the six losses have come against the Australians, a winning juggernaut that might be the best international sports team on the planet.

But England have also contrived to lose a World Cup match against West Indies for the first time. The last time they lost to South Africa in this competition, off-spinner Charlie Dean hadn't been born.

It is important to remember that this is not the same England that lifted the trophy at Lord's five years ago.

Experienced and influential players like Laura Marsh, Sarah Taylor, Jenny Gunn and Dani Hazell have moved on.

The losses have been narrow. Twelve runs against Australia, seven runs to West Indies, three wickets by South Africa.

Still, that only tells half a story.