Star Metro - England seek end to Australia agony in Women's World Cup final

Contests between two powerhouses of the women's game have been lopsided affairs in recent times, with Australia whitewashing England 16-0 in the multi-format Ashes when the teams last met 'Down Under' 18 months ago.

That humiliating reverse led to the exit of England head coach Jon Lewis and the end of Heather Knight's long reign as captain.

Charlotte Edwards, one of England's greatest women's cricketers and no stranger to success against Australia in her playing days, succeeded Lewis as coach.

Edwards stuck with many of the same players whose nerve had repeatedly betrayed them in the pressure of knockout cricket, with England -- for all their wealth and playing resources -- having gone nearly a decade since they last won a major global title, the 2017 50-over World Cup final.

She was accused of living up to a quote attributed to Albert Einstein -- "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

Edwards, however, does appear to have overseen a significant improvement in fielding standards and self-belief. England may well be beaten on Sunday, but they now look less likely to beat themselves.

- 'Standing up to Australia' -

Sciver-Brunt, one of three survivors in the England squad from that memorable World Cup final triumph against India at Lord's nine years ago, said: "The vibe we have created as a group throughout this competition has allowed us to feel confident in ourselves. We are looking forward to that battle at Lord's.

"The way we have gone about our cricket in this tournament is planned out and the way we can beat them.

"Australia are a world-class side who have had huge success in the last few years, in different Ashes series home and away. Standing up and going toe-to-toe with them is the way forward."

England fans would have been forgiven for thinking the worst when their side collapsed to 23-3 in Thursday's semi-final against South Africa at the Oval.

But Sciver-Brunt starred on her return from aggravating a left-calf injury, that had sidelined her for England's last three group-stage games, with a superb 75 off 47 balls.

Fellow veteran Knight made a fine 58 in a match-changing 133-run stand with her successor as England captain.

And a fine all-round team effort then restricted the Proteas to 129-8 as England swept into the final with a crushing 40-run win.

"Heather and I knew we had a big job to do and we used all of our experience," said Sciver-Brunt, 33.

England have won every women's World Cup, in all formats, they have hosted -- a sequence dating back to the inaugural 1973 one-day international showpiece, which took place two years before the debut of the equivalent men's event.

But history is likely to count for little against a formidable Australia side who, like England, are unbeaten heading into the final following six straight wins.

Six-time T20 world champions Australia knocked India out after making light of a tournament-record chase of 171 at Lord's last weekend and then thrashed the West Indies by eight wickets in their semi-final.

The only concern for Australia, apart from how they might cope if put under sustained pressure by England, is the fitness of Ellyse Perry.

The veteran all-rounder, an all-time great of women's cricket, retired hurt with a quad problem in the semi-final following her superb 56 against India.

But the 35-year-old looked to have come through unscathed following an intensive training session on Friday.

Australia coach Shelley Nitschke suggested Thursday that Perry could play in the final even if less than fully fit.

Perry's Australia team-mate Phoebe Litchfield, however, said Friday: "Pez is great. She's prepping really well and she's the ultimate professional.

"As you can all imagine, she wants to be out there on Sunday and is doing everything in her ability to do that, which is the true professional that she is."

O.Poirier--SMC