NEW DELHI: Ellyse Perry equalled Alyssa Healy’s record for the 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 milestone and adding another chapter to her remarkable international career.There had been concerns over Perry’s availability after she 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 Australia’s unchanged playing XI for the final.At the toss, Australia captain Sophie Molineux confirmed Perry had come through training without any issues.“We’ve got no changes. So yeah, Pez (Perry) pulled up really well from her training yesterday, and yeah, very excited to come out here,” Molineux said.
Australia opted 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 the team wanted to make early use of the conditions.“We’re going to have a bowl. Beautiful day out here, and we wanted to get out there, have a run around and hopefully put some pressure on them early.”She added that plenty of thought had gone into the decision before the toss.“There had been a lot of discussion around it, but at the end of the day, you sort of 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-extending seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title.
England also unchanged
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt admitted she would also have chosen to bowl first had the toss gone her way.“Yeah, I was going to bowl as well actually. But it’s a fresh wicket. Runs on the board in a final are no bad thing, so I’m happy to be batting.”England also named an unchanged side for the final.Sciver-Brunt said she had benefited from the experience within the squad throughout the tournament.“It would have been silly of me not to lean on that experience and then try to have my own little spin on it. The whole group has experienced different grounds, different conditions and different pressures. Hopefully we can do the same again today.”Asked what England needed to do to win the trophy, she smiled and said: “One more run than the opposition, I suppose.”
Australia looked to continue final dominance
The match marked the fourth Women’s T20 World Cup final between Australia and England.Australia had won all three previous title clashes 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, were 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 global finals.