Tammy Beaumont scored 148 runs to help England beat South Africa ©Getty Images

Hosts England beat South Africa in the highest scoring women’s one day international to leapfrog their opponents at the International Cricket Council Women’s World Cup, while Australia and India closed on semi-final spots.

England began the day in fourth place in the standings and elected to bat after winning the toss at the Brightside Ground in Bristol.

Their decision was fully justified by a strong start from openers Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont.

Winfield was caught off the bowling of Moseline Daniels for 24 but wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor came to the crease and joined Beaumont in racking up the runs.

Both women made impressive centuries as they continued to pressure the South African bowlers.

Their stand of 275, highest England partnership for any wicket and the highest at the World Cup, eventually came to an end when Taylor was caught for 147.

Beaumont soon followed her team-mate back to the pavilion for 148 as England lost four wickets for 13 runs before captain Heather Knight added a quick-fire 22 to boost the score further to 373 at the end of the 50 overs.

South Africa’s openers Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt began impressively as they chase down the imposed target before falling for 67 and 72 respectively.

There was a half-century from Chloe Tryon but South Africa still struggled against the rising run rate to eventually fall 68 runs short of their target on 309-5.

Victory saw England move up to third place in the standings on six points.

South Africa are now lying fourth.

Deepti Sharma top scored for India as they beat Sri Lanka ©Getty Images
Deepti Sharma top scored for India as they beat Sri Lanka ©Getty Images

India are one victory away from securing a semi-final spot as they claimed a fourth straight victory, securing a narrow win over Sri Lanka in Derby.

Deepti Sharma top scored on 78 for India at the County Ground as they finished their innings on 232-9.

Dilani Manodara gave Sri Lanka hope of chasing the total by scoring 61 but her stumping in the closing overs shifted the momentum, leading to India holding on for a 16 run victory.

India are joined at the top of the standings by Australia, with the defending champions securing a dominant win against Pakistan at Grace Road in Leicester.

Ellyse Perry, Elyse Villani and Alyssa Healy all made half-centuries as Australia reached 290-8.

Kristen Beams and Ashleigh Gardner then claimed three wickets apiece as Australia bowled Pakistan out for just 131.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow when New Zealand face the West Indies at the County Ground in Taunton. 

A victory for New Zealand would take them above South Africa into fourth place.