ICC WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2017

ICC WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2017

England stand in India's way to World Cup history

Hosts England have never lost a World Cup at home while India will be chasing their first-ever trophy at Lord's. © Getty

Mithali Raj & Co. are on the cusp of creating history. For the first time in 12 years, in front of a capacity crowd at the iconic Lord's and millions more watching back home, India have earned the ultimate shot at ending their big-moment hoodoo as they take on England in the finale of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 on Sunday (July 23).

Mithali Raj & Co. are on the cusp of creating history. For the first time in 12 years, in front of a capacity crowd at the iconic Lord's and millions more watching back home, India have earned the ultimate shot at ending their big-moment hoodoo as they take on England in the finale of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 on Sunday (July 23).

The script couldn't have unfolded better for Raj - who will become the first captain to lead India in two World Cup finals - and pace spearhead Jhulan Goswami. Playing their final game on cricket's biggest stage, the lone survivors from the 2005 title defeat to Australia can now bank on this resurgent team to right a few wrongs in the summit clash and bring home the coveted trophy that has remained elusive in their careers spanning over 15 years.

The script couldn't have unfolded better for Raj - who will become the first captain to lead India in two World Cup finals - and pace spearhead Jhulan Goswami. Playing their final game on cricket's biggest stage, the lone survivors from the 2005 title defeat to Australia can now bank on this resurgent team to right a few wrongs in the summit clash and bring home the coveted trophy that has remained elusive in their careers spanning over 15 years.

It was by stunning the pre-tournament favourites England, courtesy a Smriti Mandhana blinder, that India laid down the marker right at the start of their campaign, about a month ago. That threat might have withered a wee bit in the face of their shock loss to South Africa, followed by a drubbing at the hands of Australia. But when push came to shove, India outwitted the other 'favourites', knocking them out of contention on their way to setting up this Lord's date. In what boiled down to a virtual quarterfinal, Veda Krishnamurthy's onslaught in the death overs gave India a total challenging enough to choke New Zealand. When most ridiculed at their chance against the mighty Australians in the semifinal, Harmanpreet Kaur's stunning assault came as a timely reminder of India's power-hitting abilities, ending the six-time champions' campaign in the process, unexpectedly. An otherwise inconsistent pace attack too came good at the penultimate step. That combined with record-breaking Raj's consistency and an unfailing, multifarious spin attack has ensured that this Indian unit wouldn't be an easy meat for the opponents, unlike what may have been the case in the past.

It was by stunning the pre-tournament favourites England, courtesy a Smriti Mandhana blinder, that India laid down the marker right at the start of their campaign, about a month ago. That threat might have withered a wee bit in the face of their shock loss to South Africa, followed by a drubbing at the hands of Australia. But when push came to shove, India outwitted the other 'favourites', knocking them out of contention on their way to setting up this Lord's date. In what boiled down to a virtual quarterfinal, Veda Krishnamurthy's onslaught in the death overs gave India a total challenging enough to choke New Zealand. When most ridiculed at their chance against the mighty Australians in the semifinal, Harmanpreet Kaur's stunning assault came as a timely reminder of India's power-hitting abilities, ending the six-time champions' campaign in the process, unexpectedly. An otherwise inconsistent pace attack too came good at the penultimate step. That combined with record-breaking Raj's consistency and an unfailing, multifarious spin attack has ensured that this Indian unit wouldn't be an easy meat for the opponents, unlike what may have been the case in the past.

While India are hitting their straps at the right time, England too have not looked back since the first game loss to the now finalists. The home side is on a seven-match winning spree and boast of an envious batting line-up. On their road to the finale, England have twice posted scores in excess of 370 that feature right up there amongst the all-time tallest scores in the tournament's history, offering a glimpse into the potential of their top-five, of which four are in the 300-run club. Twice when the top order oddly flunked - on a tricky surface against Australia and in an equally delicate chase in the semifinal against South Africa - the lower-middle order, packed with experienced all-rounders, bailed them out to put them on their way to their seventh final appearance, and possibly a fourth crown. Even if India have ripped apart their bowling attack previously, this adept side brings forward the confidence of batting the opponents out of the contest, which makes it anything but a straightforward clash.

While India are hitting their straps at the right time, England too have not looked back since the first game loss to the now finalists. The home side is on a seven-match winning spree and boast of an envious batting line-up. On their road to the finale, England have twice posted scores in excess of 370 that feature right up there amongst the all-time tallest scores in the tournament's history, offering a glimpse into the potential of their top-five, of which four are in the 300-run club. Twice when the top order oddly flunked - on a tricky surface against Australia and in an equally delicate chase in the semifinal against South Africa - the lower-middle order, packed with experienced all-rounders, bailed them out to put them on their way to their seventh final appearance, and possibly a fourth crown. Even if India have ripped apart their bowling attack previously, this adept side brings forward the confidence of batting the opponents out of the contest, which makes it anything but a straightforward clash.

England have never lost a World Cup staged at home, and India haven't won any at all. History, rivalry and crowd support though will count for little on the big day. Interestingly, the edition comes to full circle on Sunday, and once again, the bunch that can hold their nerve better will go on a victory lap in front of an unprecedented audience in women's cricket history. Sure, no pressure then.

England have never lost a World Cup staged at home, and India haven't won any at all. History, rivalry and crowd support though will count for little on the big day. Interestingly, the edition comes to full circle on Sunday, and once again, the bunch that can hold their nerve better will go on a victory lap in front of an unprecedented audience in women's cricket history. Sure, no pressure then.

When: England vs India, Final on July 23 at 10:30am BST, 3:00pm IST

When: England vs India, Final on July 23 at 10:30am BST, 3:00pm IST

Where: Lord's, London

Where: Lord's, London

What to expect: The Lord's pitch promises to be full of runs and batting first would be a no-brainer for both sides. Rain, however, could be a dampener with 80 per cent precipitation forecast for the day. In case rain gods have the final say, there is a reserve day in place.

What to expect: The Lord's pitch promises to be full of runs and batting first would be a no-brainer for both sides. Rain, however, could be a dampener with 80 per cent precipitation forecast for the day. In case rain gods have the final say, there is a reserve day in place.

Team News

Team News

England: Lauren Winfield's poor run with the bat notwithstanding, it makes little sense to change the winning combination that bailed them out of a tricky spot in the semifinal against South Africa. 

England: Lauren Winfield's poor run with the bat notwithstanding, it makes little sense to change the winning combination that bailed them out of a tricky spot in the semifinal against South Africa. 

India: Harmanpreet has played the tournament with a dodgy shoulder and suffered cramps during her epic 171 that knocked Australia out. However, the vice-captain wouldn't likely miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is a World Cup finale at Lord's. Fitness-wise there are no other concerns and the visitors too wouldn't be keen on tampering the playing XI that has won them two knockouts on the trot.

India: Harmanpreet has played the tournament with a dodgy shoulder and suffered cramps during her epic 171 that knocked Australia out. However, the vice-captain wouldn't likely miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is a World Cup finale at Lord's. Fitness-wise there are no other concerns and the visitors too wouldn't be keen on tampering the playing XI that has won them two knockouts on the trot.

Did you know?

Did you know?

- Mithali Raj has 11 fifty-plus scores in World Cup matches. She needs one more to equal New Zealand's Debbie Hockley all-time tally of most fifty-plus scores in World Cup.

- Mithali Raj has 11 fifty-plus scores in World Cup matches. She needs one more to equal New Zealand's Debbie Hockley all-time tally of most fifty-plus scores in World Cup.

- Raj is also 13 away from overtaking Ellyse Perry (404) as the leading run-scorer in this edition. Beaumont needs 18.

- Raj is also 13 away from overtaking Ellyse Perry (404) as the leading run-scorer in this edition. Beaumont needs 18.

- Deepti Sharma is four wickets short of finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. She needs three to equal Dane van Niekerk's tally of 15.

- Deepti Sharma is four wickets short of finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. She needs three to equal Dane van Niekerk's tally of 15.

What they said?

What they said?

"It all boils down to how well we face pressure situations. There might be times when one of us is up in certain overs. How we continue from there is important. Everyone has nerves, no matter how many matches we play. This bunch of players are playing the finals for the first time, but I see no fear in them. It's completely different to 2005 when we were overawed by the occasion," Mithali Raj.

"It all boils down to how well we face pressure situations. There might be times when one of us is up in certain overs. How we continue from there is important. Everyone has nerves, no matter how many matches we play. This bunch of players are playing the finals for the first time, but I see no fear in them. It's completely different to 2005 when we were overawed by the occasion," Mithali Raj.

"We're going to go with the same team, subject to the weather. It's been working for us and no niggles around. We've improved as the tournament has gone on. With the loss against India in the first game, it's nice that on full circle we get a chance to play them again. The pleasing thing is the number of people that have stood up. From No.1 to 11, there's been people that have put their hands up in different times and as a captain it's lovely to see," Heather Knight.

"We're going to go with the same team, subject to the weather. It's been working for us and no niggles around. We've improved as the tournament has gone on. With the loss against India in the first game, it's nice that on full circle we get a chance to play them again. The pleasing thing is the number of people that have stood up. From No.1 to 11, there's been people that have put their hands up in different times and as a captain it's lovely to see," Heather Knight.

Squads:

Squads:

England: Heather Knight (c), Tamsin Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Beth Langston, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor (wk), Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield and Danielle Wyatt.

England: Heather Knight (c), Tamsin Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Beth Langston, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor (wk), Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield and Danielle Wyatt.

India: Mithali Raj (c), Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi Joshi, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy, Smrti Mandhana, Mona Meshram, Shikha Pandey, Poonam, Nuzhat Parween, Poonam Raut, Deepti Sharma and Sushma Verma (wk).

India: Mithali Raj (c), Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi Joshi, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy, Smrti Mandhana, Mona Meshram, Shikha Pandey, Poonam, Nuzhat Parween, Poonam Raut, Deepti Sharma and Sushma Verma (wk).

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