England captain Heather Knight relishing bid to make history in World Cup final

England captain Heather Knight is relishing the opportunity to make history in the Women’s World Cup final against Australia in Christchurch on Sunday.
Knight’s team have the opportunity to become the first England side to defend a World Cup title, despite a poor start to the tournament.
England were on the brink of exiting the tournament at the group stage after opening with three consecutive losses, but a fifth-straight victory saw them book their place in a second-successive World Cup final.
Tomorrow.#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/fDlmd9HN3Y
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 2, 2022
The England captain believes that victory in Sunday’s showpiece would be more special after their poor start.
“I think it’ll mean more after the start we had in this competition as well, obviously a tough start that we had and being able to turn it around would be remarkable really,” Knight said. “So that would make it even more special if we can do it tomorrow.
“Back to back, we have the opportunity to make history and being the first England team to do that and that’s such an exciting thing.
“Just being involved in World Cup finals is what you set your stall out as a player, what you’ve worked so hard for and what you want to be involved in.
“So there’s a huge excitement in the group, we won’t think too much about 2017, it’s all on the day isn’t it.
“It’s a brand new day and a brand new game and a chance for us to go out and show what we can do.”

England have not beaten Australia in a one-day international since 2017 and the Aussies are yet to be beaten at the World Cup, having won all of their matches so far in the competition.
However, despite their poor record – including a heavy Ashes defeat earlier this winter – Knight insisted the match on Sunday was a “fresh slate”.
“It’s a good story if we are able to win it,” the 31-year-old added.
The skipper 😃#CWC22 | @Heatherknight55 https://t.co/jn8CGTOzmT pic.twitter.com/tbCIW6yQ7w
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 2, 2022
“The stage is set a little bit for us to write a remarkable story but like I’ve said previously, I think it’s a completely fresh slate, fresh day, fresh game where both us and Australia will go in as equals and who performs the most on the day, who deals with the pressure of a World Cup final and knowing what’s at stake.
“So it would be a great story, but we’re going to have to bring our best cricket to beat Australia who are obviously a very good side.”
Australia captain Meg Lanning will play her 100th ODI in the final and, despite her side’s dominance in recent years, expects a difficult challenge.
Two dangerous bowling lineups gunning for the World Cup win 💪
Who’s coming out on top in the #CWC22 final? pic.twitter.com/dFqWx2ypu6
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) April 2, 2022
Lanning said: “We know that it’s going to be tough, England always provide a great contest.
“They’ve got some world-class players who can take the game away from you really quickly.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge for us and certainly not going to be easy but we feel confident that if we can put up as close to our best as possible, then that’ll give us a good chance.”
Latest
-
News
Lancashire slip to first defeat of Blast season against Birmingham
The Lightning lost their last seven wickets for 36 runs in 35 balls as they were bowled out for just 98.
-
News
England will not alter aggressive approach during Ashes – Brendon McCullum
England face Ireland before their build-up to the Ashes opener will contain days off, training and ‘quality time’.
-
News
Tom Banton inspires Somerset to third win from three at start of Blast campaign
Glamorgan lost regular wickets and were all out for 153 in 19.4 overs.
-
News
James Anderson and Ollie Robinson should be fit for Ashes – Brendon McCullum
The England seamers will miss the one-off Test against Ireland, as expected, but should be fit for the Ashes opener.
-
News
ICC chief Wasim Khan accepts Tests and franchise leagues must learn to coexist
Jason Roy last week cancelled his England incremental contract to play in Major League Cricket.
-
T20 Blast
Tom Banton inspires Somerset to third win from three at start of Blast campaign
Glamorgan lost regular wickets and were all out for 153 in 19.4 overs.
-
County Cricket
Has ‘Bazball’ taken hold in county cricket? What the numbers tell us
Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes are keen to see their England side’s aggressive approach replicated in the domestic game.
-
England
Opening batter Ben Duckett backed to thrive long-term in second England chance
Since his recall late last year, Duckett has been the model opening batter for the regime under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
-
Women's Cricket
Alex Hartley: Taking indefinite break from cricket was ‘hardest decision’ ever
Hartley announced on her BBC No Balls Podcast on Friday that she had been “struggling mentally” for several months.
-
England
England will keep embracing risks during Ashes despite ‘blip’ – Daryl Mitchell
England have enjoyed some rousing successes since Ben Stokes and Kiwi favourite Brendon McCullum took over the Test team.