The bad news is that England are out of the World Cup. Yet.

Four wins from their remaining four games could see them through.

Their net run-rate is reasonable because their opening three defeats have been close.

It would be like a turkey taking pleasure in receiving its first Christmas card.

England have lost six consecutive one-day internationals since almost pulling off an audacious win in theAshes Test.

The last time an England team played a 50-over World Cup in this corner of the planet, it felt eerily similar.

  • England on brink after South Africa defeat

England's men were humiliated by Bangladesh. The women are currently in last place in their group, and the tournament debutants are in front of them.

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

England lost a World Cup match against West Indies for the first time. The last time they lost to South Africa was in this competition.

It is important to remember that this is not the same England that won the trophy five years ago.

The experienced and influential players have moved on.

The losses have been small. Twelve runs against Australia, seven runs to West Indies and three runs to South Africa.

Half a story is what that tells. England's total against Australia was the highest ever made against them in an one-day international, with 21 runs in wides.

It was 23 runs in wides and at least six missed chances against West Indies. South Africa was able to take advantage of three clear drops and a missed stumping.

How can the unforced errors be explained? Lisa Keightley and Heather Knight would love to hear the answers.

Maybe it's because England have been on tour for a long time. It is rare for England's women to follow a tour of Australia with a World Cup because of the Covid epidemic. The men's cycle was changed to avoid such a scenario.

The growth of the women's game has been driven by players wanting to play more and be challenged. It can't be used as an excuse for a drop in standards.

England could point to some fatigue. The women's team has played more than any other team.

Since the end of the Ashes, they have been to beautiful Queenstown, played golf, been surfing, and climbed the mountain that gives Mount Maunganui its name. They are not being held under lock and key.

How to turn a six-game losing streak into a four-game winning streak is the key question facing England.

It would be a start if the catches were held. The eight runs conceded in wides against South Africa is an improvement.

England will be desperate for Danni to get a score after replacing Lauren at the top of the order.

One wonders if captain Knight gets enough support from her senior players, if England are able to make the correct decisions under pressure, and if the group has the maturity to battle through difficult situations.

Keightley will have to get England in the right frame of mind to beat India in the most important match they have played in order to win.

Australian Keightley said that he takes a huge amount of responsibility as the coach.

I don't feel any more pressure than the players do. We came into the World Cup to play better than we have done.

The buck is with me and I am happy to cop that.

She is correct.

The director of cricket, Chris Silverwood, and the batting coach, Graham Thorpe, lost their jobs after the men's humiliation. James Anderson and Stuart Broad were left out of the West Indies series.

England have four games to save their World Cup.

They may be playing for jobs.