England won the toss and chose to bowl against Australia Sunday in the final of the Women’s Cricket World Cup at Hagley Oval.
Australia is attempting to win the World Cup for the seventh time, England for the fifth time and the second in succession after winning the last tournament at home in 2017.
Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup Final – Latest Updates
The top-ranked Australians are unbeaten after eight matches at the tournament and after beating the West Indies by 157 runs in their semifinal. England lost its first three matches but has won its last five under virtual knockout circumstances, capped by its 137-run semifinal win over South Africa.
We have an opportunity to make history, being the first England team to (win back-to-back titles) and thats such an exciting thing, England captain Heather Knight said.
The stage is set for us to write a remarkable story but it is a fresh slate and us and Australia will go in as equals.
Australia is strengthened by the return of allrounder Elysse Perry who missed the semifinal with a back injury, though Perry is unlikely to bowl.
England named a lineup unchanged from the semifinal with a strong spin bowling contingent.
For the first time in cricket history all four umpires and the match referee are women.
Lineups
Australia: Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (captain), Elysse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.
England: Tammy Beaumont, Danielle Wyatt, Heather Knight (captain), Natalie Sciver, Amy Jones, Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Anya Shrubsole.
Umpires: Kim Cotton, New Zealand and Lauren Agenbag, South Africa.
TV umpire: Jaqueline Williams, West Indies. Match referee: G.S. Lakshmi, India
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