10.47pm EDT
22:47
10.42pm EDT
22:42
10.40pm EDT
22:40
10.36pm EDT
22:36
10.31pm EDT
22:31
10.27pm EDT
22:27
10.23pm EDT
22:23
10.20pm EDT
22:20
Updated
at 10.24pm EDT
10.16pm EDT
22:16
10.13pm EDT
22:13
10.09pm EDT
22:09
10.03pm EDT
22:03
Updated
at 10.22pm EDT
9.59pm EDT
21:59
9.55pm EDT
21:55
9.51pm EDT
21:51
Updated
at 9.56pm EDT
9.48pm EDT
21:48
9.44pm EDT
21:44
9.40pm EDT
21:40
9.37pm EDT
21:37
9.33pm EDT
21:33
9.32pm EDT
21:32
Updated
at 9.55pm EDT
9.26pm EDT
21:26
9.23pm EDT
21:23
9.18pm EDT
21:18
9.14pm EDT
21:14
9.11pm EDT
21:11
9.07pm EDT
21:07
9.04pm EDT
21:04
8.40pm EDT
20:40
8.34pm EDT
20:34
England win the toss and elect to bowl
8.28pm EDT
20:28
Preamble
Welcome! Well, after four weeks of fierce competition, we’ve reached the final and it’s Australia v England – the first time these two nations have met in a World Cup final since 1988, which is quite frankly wild. It would have seemed an unlikely scenario earlier in the tournament. England started with three losses on the trot and looked every bit as hapless as they did during the Ashes. But somehow they rallied, Danni Wyatt started scoring runs, Katherine Brunt started looking fearsome again and Sophie Ecclestone showed why she is such a world class spinner. It started with a dominant win over England, followed by a clutch victory over New Zealand. They sailed past Pakistan and Bangladesh and found themselves in a semi final against South Africa. It was in that game where they really showed their turnaround in form, putting 293 on the board, before bowling SA out for 156 in 38 overs. It’s been an incredible run and they won’t want to waste this opportunity they’ve given themselves.
In contrast, Australia has barely been challenged. There have been a couple of instances where they lost early wickets and to the casual observer may have looked like they were in trouble. But their batting line up is just so deep and they have so much belief that there’s never a moment of panic. They were unconvincing against Bangladesh and India took them into the final over of the match, but Beth Mooney’s unflappable nature just keeps on propelling them towards wins. It will take a particularly special effort from England to beat them today, but anything can happen in a World Cup final. If England finds a way to make Australia panic, to finally shift them even slightly out of their comfort zone, they could be in with a chance.
It’s going to be a big day, so stay with us as we guide you through the action. We’ll bring you the result of the toss and how the teams will line up very soon!
Updated
at 10.00pm EDT