England hopes in the CricInfo Women's World Cup go on the line tomorrow when they meet India in one of the matches of the tournament to date at Lincoln Green.

The loss to South Africa on Saturday threw the semi-final race wide open. If England lose to the unbeaten Indians who are shaping as the giant-killers of the tournament, they would then need to beat either New Zealand or, even tougher, Australia to keep their prospects alive.

Much will depend on how the English batsmen deal with India's spin attack.

Coach Paul Farbrace said the formula was simple for his side: "We have got to win."

"We've been preparing for two years and for the last 12 months we have been really focussed on the tournament," he said.

The pressure is on the England batsmen for the game, and they have been the weak link in the side both in the pre-season series against New Zealand and in the tournament to date.

"There is no consistency to our batting whatsoever. We can't just rely on our top order, we have to have batting from No 1 to 11.

"We know we've got to improve dramatically. The semi-finals are not out of reach but we have to do well. We want to do well here and in the next World Cup."

India had a quiet build-up but arrived in New Zealand believing they had the ability to win the Cup. They beat South Africa in their first Cup game then disposed of the Netherlands easily on Saturday.

They know that a win over England would virtually assure them of the semi-final place they want.

It is shaping as one of the most pivotal games of the tournament.

© CricInfo