Nasser Hussain has implored England to show their mettle as they face unquestionably the toughest test of their World Cup campaign yet against the West Indies on Wednesday at Lord's.
Charlotte Edwards' side secured an impressive 38-run win over Scotland for their third victory of the tournament after wins against Sri Lanka and Ireland, but face an unbeaten West Indies side without captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is still sidelined with a calf injury.
Another victory would see England seal top spot in Group B, and potentially avoid a clash with current Group A leaders Australia in the semi-final.
With another difficult match against defending champions New Zealand to come on Saturday, Hussain has called for stand-in captain Charlie Dean and her side to rise to the occasion with the knockout stages rapidly approaching.
"It's the unknown quantity [of England], isn't it - [can they do it] in a big semi-final?" Hussain said. "That's why I think it's important to try and come out on top [against West Indies].
"It's two unbeaten sides - [they need to] try and top the group to hopefully avoid Australia [in the semi-finals].
"You're going to have to beat someone like South Africa or India anyway.
"But it's just the unknown quantity about this particular England side. When that bar is raised, can those all-rounders do it when [Australia spinner] Alana King is spinning it both ways?
"They can only play against what they've been put up against."
Questions have also been asked of England's batting depth. Long-time opener Sophia Dunkley filled in at No 3 in Sciver-Brunt's absence and notched an impressive 57 against Scotland, but pundits feel that the top order still need to prove themselves against more demanding opposition.
"When they have been put under pressure, there were still mistakes made, and they haven't quite been put under pressure in this World Cup just yet," commentator Natalie Germanos added.
"England are a team that clearly have answered a lot of questions since 2024.
"Whether or not the batting lineup is quite 100 per cent where it should be yet, I don't know that we know that for sure.
"I think there are wonderful hitters down the order, but I don't think they feel things being put under pressure enough, and the West Indies are just that side who can beat anyone on their day."
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through to the final at Lord's on July 5.
