The ones to watch in the Women’s Cricket World Cup Final at Lord's as England face India

The last time the Women’s Cricket World Cup was held at Lord’s was in 1993, and England emerged victorious over New Zealand in front of 4,500 spectators, but 24 years later the Home of Cricket will be sold out to watch this generation try to defeat India.

These two teams got the tournament underway nearly a month ago, with England falling 35 runs short of India’s 281, but the hosts have gone from strength to strength since that opening day defeat.

They proceeded to win all six of the remaining group games and therefore topping the qualifying stage, with India in third.

Titanic scores have been the story of England’s tournament so far. 377/7 against Pakistan and 373/5 versus South Africa serve as evidence that they can rack up scores that cannot be chased if batting first.

That is not to take anything away from the bowlers, who played a huge part in England’s win against Australia, their first in a World Cup since 1993, as the opposition fell three runs short when chasing 259 in Bristol.

India, on the other hand, have never won the competition.

They were beaten finalists in 2005 when dispatched by 98 runs against seven-time winners Australia, but there is a feeling that a victory at Lord’s could be a watershed moment for the Women’s game on the sub-continent.

Defeats to South Africa and Australia in the group stage maybe suggested that their early form was a flash in the pan, but their victory over Australia in the semi-finals shows that India are here on merit.

They also bowled out New Zealand for 79 in just 25.3 overs in their final game of the group stage, so any loss of momentum has been flipped on its head as India approach this historic final.

England reached the final in high drama, knocking off the runs they needed with just two balls to spare and two wickets in hand.

India’s final progression was full of drama too as they took ten wickets to scupper Australia’s chances. Both teams will feel that they are on the ascendency and in good form ahead of the final.

The finalists have been able to call on some monstrous performances this month, and we have highlighted some of the key performers who will have a say in who will be crowned World Cup Champions.

England:

Sarah Taylor

A talented wicketkeeper/batter who has scored 351 runs in the tournament so far, the highlight being a magical 147 against South Africa in Bristol.

She is also excellent behind the stumps, always probing for a stumping or looking for that trademark athletic catch.

Heather Knight

The England captain is one of five players to have scored a hundred in the competition, getting 106 against Pakistan.

82 and 67 against South Africa and West Indies shows a player in form, and she has also taken eight wickets when she calls upon her off-breaks.

Tammy Beaumont

England’s leading run-scorer has been a constant thorn in oppositions’ sides throughout the tournament.

She scored 148 against South Africa and has amassed 387 runs in total, including two other 50s and a 49. She will open up at Lord’s and England will look to her attacking play to put them in a strong position.

Alex Hartley

This talented 23-year old slow left-arm bowler has been England’s go-to option in the competition, taking 8 wickets in her 62 overs.

England have generally shared the wickets around the squad, but there is no doubt that Hartley will be used heavily in this tie.

INDIA

Mithali Raj

The India captain is the second highest run-scorer in the tournament so far with 392 and an average of 49.

The 34-year old veteran made her ODI debut in 1999, and India will be looking to her wealth of experience to carry them through the final.

Harmanpreet Kaur

Her 171 from 115 balls against Australia in the semi-final is the outstanding innings of the World Cup so far and the reason why India find themselves in the final.

Also a capable spinner, Kaur is a player in absolutely top form and England will be looking minimise her impact.

Deepti Sharma

Her five wickets in India’s previous two matches show that this off-spinner’s game is coming to form just at the right time.

She has taken twelve wickets in total, and is handy with the bat too having scored two 50s during the group stages. Her 3/47 against England will likely see her get extra attention at Lord’s.

Shikha Pandey

This medium pacer has an impressive economy of just 3.69 as batters struggle to get her bowling away.

Her 2/17 against Australia in the semi-finals was crucial to the win as she got two of the top order out before they could do any real damage.