ICC Women’s World Cup: The incumbent champions England and pre-tournament favorites Australia have combined to win 10 of the 11 Women’s World Cups held thus far. That number will rise to 11 on Sunday (April 3), capping up one of the most hotly contested tournaments in recent memory.
Even in this lopsided custody battle between the two undisputedly strongest sides in the women’s circuit, Australia’s supremacy is unmistakable. Since their world-record 26-game unbeaten run ended six months ago, they’ve won 11 straight games, including the Ashes.
Since being taken by surprise in the 2017 semifinal, they have only lost two of the 41 games in the format. It’s only right that they enter the 2022 final as deserving favorites.
ICC Women’s World Cup: England to strike back after 5 years
England, on the other hand, is hoping that after five years, the law of averages eventually catches up with Australia. After round-robin stage losses to all other semifinalists – Australia, West Indies, and South Africa. Their championship defense was left hanging by a thread. However, they turned the tide just in time and went on to beat each of the four eliminated four on the trot to reach the knockout stages.
On Thursday, it needed career-best performances from opener Danni Wyatt (129 of 125) and lead spinner Sophie Ecclestone (6/36) to get Australia to the final in what turned out to be another one-sided semifinal as Australia thrashed the West Indies by an innings and a quarter.
ICC Women’s World Cup: Australia to extend their title possession
Australia is aiming for a record-extending seventh title. This would make them world champions across all formats and give Meg Lanning’s squad the well-deserved moniker of The Invincible.
Heather Knight and her teammates are standing in their way, hoping to become the first English team to win back-to-back crowns. Even in this incredibly predictable battle for ultimate bragging rights, the finale has one final nail-biter up its sleeve.
ICC Women’s World Cup: Match Details
Match: England vs Australia
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
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ICC Women’s World Cup: Team Updates
Australia
Since Ellyse Perry came off the field with a back niggle in the league game against South Africa, Australia has been concerned about her fitness. Despite missing the semifinal, she’s doing well in the fielding and batting practice two days before the championship game.
Meg Lanning, the captain, has expressed optimism about Perry’s return, with the final decision likely to be made after their nets on the day of the game. Annabel Sutherland would almost certainly be the one to step aside.
Probable XI: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
England
The reigning champions have a complete fit squad at their disposal to pick from. They are highly unlikely to alter their winning combination. Apart from that last-minute concern, the expectations regarding them are to go into the clash of titles with an unedited line-up.
Probable XI: Tammy Beaumont, Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Heather Knight (c), Natalie Sciver, Amy Jones (wk), Charlie Dean, Kate Cross, Anya Shrubsole
