Australia won the toss and opted to field first in the final of the . Both teams head into the final after being unbeaten the entire tournament.
After winning the toss, Aussie skipper Sophie Molineux elected to bowl first. The Australian captain added that she wanted to put the hosts under pressure early on.
“We’re going to have a bowl. Beautiful day, want to put pressure on them early. Don’t think the pitch will change too much. No changes. Pez (Perry) pulled up well after the training yesterday. Special day. The girls got a couple of days off. Started training the last couple of days.” Sophie Molineux said.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said she would have bowled first as well in the final. She further added that there were no changes in the English team for the final.
“Was going to bowl as well. It’s a fresh wicket – runs on the board in the final is no bad thing. We’re unchanged. Will be silly on me not to lean on that experience (in her camp). (What wins it for England today?) One more run than the opposition, I suppose.” Nat Sciver-Brunt said.
England and Australia are unbeaten in the tournament
England’s formidable charge is spearheaded by Danni Wyatt-Hodge, the tournament’s top run-scorer, who boasts a staggering average of 73.50 and a destructive strike rate of 152.33. Alongside her, Nat Sciver-Brunt has been equally clinical; despite featuring in just three games, she has already amassed 169 runs at an average of 84.50 and a strike rate of 159.43.
Standing in their way, however, is a ruthless Australian side that has rarely shown any chinks in its armour. In fact, the Aussies looked vulnerable only a handful of times during the tournament, briefly slipping to 62/4 against South Africa in their opener, and later uncharacteristically dropping catches while leaking 36 runs in the final two overs against India.
Confirmed Playing 11 for both teams:
England Women (Playing XI): Amy Jones(w), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson, Charlotte Dean, Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell
Australia Women (Playing XI): Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney(w), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux(c), Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton