ICC Women's World Cup Final: England vs Australia for the final title clash
The most awaited day of the Women's World Cup has finally arrived after 30 thrilling matches. It's a face-off between the two most successful teams of Women's cricket, England and Australia, for the title at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Alyssa Healy scored 170 off 138 balls
Latest : Australia 356/5 and Alyssa Healy hit a massive 170 runs .
The two teams have won 10 out of 11 World Cups so far. While Australia is one of the favorites this year to win it, England is known to be the defending champions.
The dominant Australia
Unbeaten in the eight games in the tournament so far, Australia will look to carry forward their dominance into the trophy. If they succeed, it will be their seventh ODI World Cup title and first since 2013. Australia has lost only two ODIs since they lost to India in the semifinals of the 2017 World Cup. They still await Ellyse Perry's fitness report to decide final XI. She will slot in as a specialist batter if picked, as confirmed by Captain Meg Lanning.
"I think if you'd asked anyone in cricket at the moment that has followed the tournament, everyone would be saying that Australia is red hot favorites and they deserve that tag," former Australian captain Mel Jones
The defending champions
On the other hand, England had one of the worst starts to the tournament as they lost the first three matches on the trot to begin. But after that, they made a terrific comeback to make it to the semifinals and then a massive win against South Africa to reach the finals must have instilled them with all the confidence needed for the big game. Their spin bowler Sophie Ecclestone has the best display of her character with the ball on-field. She is the leading wicket-taker at the World Cup with 20 dismissals – and against South Africa in the semifinal, she achieved her maiden international five-wicket haul.
"It's a great feeling getting through to the World Cup final," Sophie Ecclestone said. "It's something we've been working towards after we lost three games at the start, so it's great to get to the final, and hopefully, we can put on a show on Sunday", she added further.
Pitch Report
Pitch so far has given traces of being batting friendly. Australia hasn't played on Hagley's pitch since the 2000 World Cup. However, England has played two of the last three games ahead of the finals. Dew could be a factor in the latter half of the match.
Predicted Probable XI
Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (capt), Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry/Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
England: Tammy Beaumont, Danielle Wyatt, Heather Knight (capt), Natalie Sciver, Amy Jones (wk), Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Anya Shrubsole
Stats to keep an eye on
- The final match will be the 100th ODI for Meg Lanning and will be the seventh Australian woman to achieve this.
- Heather Knight would become the first England captain to win two consecutive 50-over titles if England defeats Australia.
On Sunday, the 2013 World Cup winners will now face defending champions England at Hagley Oval to bag their seventh 50-over World Cup trophy. Also, a feat for Indians, India's GS Lakshmi has been appointed as the match referee for the final clash. She's the first-ever woman to make it to the ICC international panel of match referees for the final. The final is going to be nothing short of the clashes of the bests.