Arran Brindle made 32 and ran out two Australian batters

A total of 158 proved inadequate as the Southern Stars won by five wickets.

"It wasn't enough. It was a good wicket, we needed to post something nearer 200 but all credit to the girls for hanging in to the very end.

"It was good to get to the semi-finals but disappointing obviously not to go one step further," said Connor.

Australia reaction

England must now regroup before taking on Australia again in a home Women's Ashes series this summer.

"I don't think we've got much to fear," said Connor.

"We got 158 today and they got them for five with three overs left - over a series back in England with a chance to play them five times, then I'm confident we'll do well.

"It's easy to be doom and gloom and say 'where do we go from here' but a World Cup is a tough tournament."

Connor paid tribute to Australia's pace bowler Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who dented England's hopes right at the start with three wickets.

"She's had the reputation of being the best bowler in the world for five, six, seven years now and she showed today that she's class.

"It was always going to be tough after being 20-3. But we fought back well with a bit of a partnership between myself and Arran [Brindle] and then Clare Taylor marshalled the tail to make sure we at least got a respectable total."

Taylor, one of two survivors from England 1993 World Cup winning team, is now 39 and unlikely to be around for the next tournament.

"I've got a lot of things to think about when I get back, perhaps have a word with Batesy [coach Richard Bates] because deep down I was disappointed only playing two games in this World Cup.

"The youngsters have stepped up to the mark so perhaps it's time for the old girl to put her feet up," said Taylor.

"She's a great team-mate and if she retires the game will be worse without her," Connor added.