Nat Sciver-Brunt has declared England will go “toe-to-toe” with Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s on Sunday as they attempt to halt a series of dispiriting defeats by their arch-rivals.
Australia defeated England 16-0 in the multi-format Ashes when the two sides last played “Down Under” 18 months ago. Recent matches between the two titans of the women’s game have been lopsided affairs.
Jon Lewis, the head coach of England, was fired as a result of that devastating defeat, and Heather Knight’s lengthy tenure as captain came to an end. Lewis was replaced as coach by Charlotte Edwards, one of the best women’s cricket players in England and a former winner versus Australia.
Despite England’s wealth and playing resources, it has been over ten years since they last won a major international championship, the 2017 50-over World Cup final. Edwards stayed with many of the same players whose nerve had frequently failed them in the strain of elimination cricket.
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” is a statement ascribed to Albert Einstein, and she was accused of living up to it.
Nonetheless, it seems that Edwards oversaw a notable gain in fielding standards and confidence. Even though England might lose on Sunday, they suddenly appear less likely to defeat themselves.
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, was quoted as saying by AFP: “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.”
When England were reduced to 23-3 against South Africa in the semi-final on Thursday at the Oval, supporters were prepared for the worst.
However, Sciver-Brunt, who had missed England’s previous three group-stage matches due to an aggravating left-calf injury, excelled upon her return with an incredible 75 off 47 balls. In a pivotal 133-run partnership with her successor as England captain, fellow veteran Knight scored a superb 58.
The Proteas were then held to 129-8 by a superb all-around team effort, and England advanced to the final with a devastating 40-run victory.
“Heather and I knew we had a big job to do and we used all of our experience,” said Sciver-Brunt, 33.
Since the first one-day international showpiece was held in 1973, two years before the comparable men’s event debuted, England has won every women’s World Cup in every format that they have hosted.
But against a strong Australia team that, like England, is undefeated going into the final after six straight victories, history is probably going to mean little.
Australia, the six-time T20 world champions, defeated the West Indies by eight wickets in their semi-final and eliminated India after mocking a tournament-record chase of 171 at Lord’s last weekend.
Ellyse Perry’s fitness is Australia’s only worry, aside from how they might handle prolonged pressure from England. After scoring an incredible 56 against India in the semi-final, the seasoned all-rounder—a legendary figure in women’s cricket—retired due to a quad injury.
However, after a rigorous training session on Friday, the 35-year-old appeared to have survived unharmed. Perry might play in the final despite not being totally fit, according to Australia coach Shelley Nitschke on Thursday.
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.”
