England aim to break Australia’s hold on women’s T20 cricket when the sides clash in the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s on Sunday. A capacity crowd of 31,180 is expected at the historic ground, where England have never lost a World Cup event and have claimed all four prior titles hosted there. Australia, six-time winners, seek a seventh crown. The teams have met in three previous finals, in 2012, 2014 and 2018. England captured their only title in 2009 at the same venue. Australia claimed the trophy in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023. Australia arrive confident after strong showings and a clean sweep of England in last year’s Ashes series. New captain Sophie Molineux leads the wicket-takers with ten scalps in six games. They reached the final by eliminating India at Lord’s and beating West Indies by eight wickets. Phoebe Litchfield has returned from injury, though Ellyse Perry’s fitness is uncertain. England gained a boost from captain Natalie Sciver-Brunt’s return to form with 75 off 47 balls against South Africa. Opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge tops the run charts with 294 and remains central to their plans.
