Women's Under-19 World Cup: Super Six, key fixtures, stand-out players, and more

The format
While it is called the Super Six, there are still 12 teams left in the tournament, as the top three sides from the four groups in the group stage have made it to the next round. These include - in that order - Bangladesh, Australia and Sri Lanka from Group A; England, Pakistan and Rwanda from Group B; New Zealand, West Indies and Ireland from Group C; and India, South Africa and UAE from Group D.

In the Super Six, teams will be divided into two groups of six each, but each team only plays an additional two matches in this round. For instance, Bangladesh, who topped Group A, will now play South Africa and UAE, who had finished second and third respectively in Group D. Similarly, Group D toppers India will play Australia and Sri Lanka, who were second and third in Group A. Thus, these six teams comprise Super Six Group 1.

Over to Group 2 in Super Six, which consists of England, West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan and Rwanda. England had topped Group B, and will thus play West Indies and Ireland, who had come second and third from Group C. On the other hand, New Zealand, who were first from Group C, will meet Pakistan and Rwanda from Group B in the Super Six.

Also, teams carry forward the points and the net run rate from the group stage from the two matches against the other teams from their group who also qualified for the Super Six. So India's points and net run rate against fourth-placed Scotland will not be included; the same for New Zealand against Indonesia, and England against Zimbabwe, etc.

Eventually, the top two teams from each of the two Super Six groups advance to the semi-finals.

Who are the favourites after the group stage?
The four group toppers are best placed to make the semi-finals after the Super Six stage. Bangladesh, England, New Zealand and India were group winners, with three wins out of three. While India, England and New Zealand dominated each of their games, Bangladesh were tested to a degree by Australia and Sri Lanka, but otherwise looked comfortable. With two wins carried forward for each of the table toppers, if they win their two super six games, they will cruise to the semi-final. No other team will be able to reach four wins.

Key fixtures
India vs Australia on January 21 will headline the Super Six line up. Bangladesh's opening-day win over Australia means India will now have arguably the toughest Super Six fixtures against Australia and Sri Lanka. What is more, India play Sri Lanka the very next day on January 22.

New Zealand have had it quite easy so far after restricting Indonesia and Ireland to 74 each, and West Indies to 68 in the group stage. While they took 27 of 30 wickets, they lost just one across the three matches, having had to bat for less than 24 overs so far. But their biggest test will be against Pakistan on January 24.

Stand-out players
India's Shweta Sehrawat leads the run-scoring charts with 197 runs in three games, along with the tournament's highest individual score of 92* against South Africa. Sehrawat has faced 116 balls so far without yet being dismissed. Shafali Verma, India's captain and Sehrawat's opening partner, is striking at 233.96, the highest by some distance in the tournament, with scores of 45 from 16 deliveries, and 78 off 34. But she missed out in the last group game against Scotland.

England captain Grace Scrivens was very impressive in the group stage. She has 120 runs in three innings, and five wickets to go with that.

The top three six-hitters of the tournament feature two names from Bangladesh: Afia Prottasha with five - just as many hit by Shafali - and Shorna Akter with four.

What to expect?
In spite of the unfriendly schedule, India start firm favourites against both Australia and Sri Lanka. Sehrawat's form and G Trisha's runs in the group stage mean India do not rely only on the experience of Shafali and Richa Ghosh. Moreover, they will also take confidence after restricting UAE to 97, and Scotland to 66.

England should cruise through to the semi-final with fixtures against Ireland and West Indies, both of whom have looked well below par when up against formidable opposition.

New Zealand have a potentially tricky game against Pakistan, who troubled England in phases with the ball but couldn't stay in the game with the bat. That New Zealand start their Super Six campaign against Rwanda could mean their batting remains untested ahead of their match against Pakistan.

Bangladesh have been outstanding in the group stage. If they keep up the standard they did against Australia and Sri Lanka, they should cruise past UAE and hosts South Africa, who have had their moments with the ball, but got only 112 against both Scotland and UAE in the group stage, even if they won both matches. And so it is their bowling and catching that have largely kept them alive in the tournament.

The tournament has already given us one run-out at the non-striker's end, two hat-tricks - including a haul of four wickets in as many consecutive balls - along with a highest team score of 219 by India, and a lowest of 25 by Zimbabwe. But what have been missing so far is a century by a batter, and a Super Over finish.