Could there have been two more deserving finalists? The tournament’s two unbeaten sides dominated the group stage, sealed their places in the final with commanding semi-final wins, their respective experienced players have defined the tournament, and now cricket’s oldest rivals return to one of the most iconic stages. At Lord’s, England will attempt to put behind them previous heartbreaks Australia have inflicted on them, while first-time T20 World Cup captains Sophie Molineux and Nat Sciver-Brunt chase what will be the biggest prize of their leadership journeys yet.

Having missed out on making the final in their last two ICC events – the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ODI World Cup – Australia arrive looking every bit like a side determined to reclaim the throne, chasing their seventh T20 World Cup title. England, meanwhile, will be eyeing their first in 17 years since lifting the inaugural crown in 2009 – also at Lord’s – with the added motivation of winning a home World Cup once again.

England have been equally dominant, but there were questions over their reliance on explosive starts from Danni Wyatt-Hodge. They answered that in the semi-final, where captain Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight combined for a match-defining partnership that reaffirmed England’s ability to win from difficult positions.

Australia will start as favorites, well, because they almost always do so. And particularly in finals. They’ve also repeatedly ended England’s ambitions on the biggest stage, in the tournament finals in 2012, 2014 and 2018.

England’s most cherished T20 World Cup memory against Australia remains the inaugural 2009 tournament, when Charlotte Edwards’ side beat Australia in the semi-finals and went on to lift the trophy. This time, Edwards returns in a different role, as head coach, while Australia’s coach, Shelley Nitschke, was part of the side that suffered that defeat. England will hope history repeats itself, looking to that win as inspiration to outdo Australia. And also that they’ve not lost a single T20 World Cup game at home yet.

The margins are likely to be thin, but the contest may come down to Australia’s disciplined bowling against England’s powerful top three, while England’s spinners will seek to unsettle an Australian top order that’s looked formidable. The Australian side has made winning a habit, but England have home support and momentum, and after their excellent semi-final comeback, the belief that they have the match-winners to keep Australia away from the trophy.

Nat Sciver Brunt’s return from injury couldn’t have come at a better time for England. With her side reeling at 23 for 3 in the semi-final against South Africa, she combined with Knight to rescue the innings with a match-defining partnership. There was no visible sign of the calf injury that had kept her out of games in the group stage, as she pierced the field repeatedly, hitting 11 fours and a towering six over deep midwicket that underlined an innings of authority and composure. In what is her seventh T20 World Cup and first as captain, she will want to rise to the occasion again and lead England to their first T20 title in 17 years.

Beth Mooney has saved her best for when Australia have needed it most. After two low scores against South Africa and Bangladesh, she came back with a 74* against Netherlands, before scoring 0 and 22 against Pakistan and India respectively. She once again found her touch in the semi-final against West Indies, making 61 not out off 36 and looking in deft touch. Mooney averages 72.00 in T20 World Cup knockout matches and played a pivotal role in the title runs of 2020 and 2023. Come another final, Australia will once again look to their proven match-winner.

England are unlikely to make changes to their XI.

England (probable): Amy Jones (wk),  Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp,  Dani Gibson,  Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone,  Linsey Smith,  Lauren Bell.

Ellyse Perry retired hurt in the semi-final chase against West Indies in what was described as a precautionary move due to “minor quad awareness”. She trained on both days leading into the final and came through a fitness test with no signs of discomfort as she batted and bowled in the nets, but her availability will be based on “how she pulls up”, according to captain Molineux. If Perry misses out, Australia may look to strengthen their bowling by bringing in legspinner Alana King, who has an excellent record against England.

Australia (probable): Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner,  Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (capt),  Kim Garth,  Lucy Hamilton.

[Cricinfo]