NEW DELHI: Ellyse Perry equaled Alyssa Healy’s record for most Women’s T20 World Cup final appearances after taking the field in Australia’s title clash against England at Lord’s on Sunday. Perry made her seventh appearance in a Women’s T20 World Cup final, matching Healy’s feat and adding another chapter to her extraordinary international career.There had been concerns over Perry’s availability after he suffered a quadriceps injury during Australia’s semi-final win over the West Indies. However, the experienced all-rounder recovered in time and was included in the unchanged Australia playing XI for the final.At the toss, Australia captain Sophie Molineux confirmed Perry had arrived in training without any problems.“We have no changes. So yes, Pez (Perry) pulled really well from his training yesterday, and yes, very excited to come out here,” said Molineux.
Australia chose to bowl first
Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first in the Women’s T20 World Cup final.Explaining the decision, Molineux said that the team wanted to make quick use of the conditions.“We’re going to have a bowl. Nice day here, and we wanted to get out there, make a run and hopefully put some pressure on them early.”He added that a lot of thought had gone into the decision before the toss.“There was a lot of discussion around it, but at the end of the day, you have to go with your gut. I didn’t think the pitch would change too much.”Australia retained the same XI that defeated West Indies in the semi-final as they chased a record seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title.
England also unchanged
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt admitted she would still have opted to bowl first if the toss had gone.“Yeah, I was going to bowl actually. But it’s a fresh wicket. The runs on the board in a final are not bad, so I’m happy to be beaten.”England have also named an unchanged side for the final.Sciver-Brunt said she benefited from the experience on the team during the tournament.“It would have been foolish of me not to draw on that experience and then try to get my own spin on it. The whole group experienced different motives, different conditions and different pressures. I hope we can do the same today.”Asked what England needed to do to win the trophy, he smiled and said: “One run more than the opposition I guess.”
Australia looked to continue finals dominance
The match marked the fourth Women’s T20 World Cup final between Australia and England.Australia had won all three previous title meetings between the two sides in 2012, 2014 and 2018. The defending champions entered the contest chasing a record-extending seventh Women’s T20 World Cup crown. England, meanwhile, will be aiming to win the trophy for the second time after lifting the inaugural edition at Lord’s in 2009, while also trying to end Australia’s dominance in the global finals.