Ecclestone says England can beat Australia on its day ahead of World Cup final

England has had a poor tun-up to the showpiece, losing the Ashes to its traditional rival before suffering a defeat to the Aussies in its opening game of the World Cup.

Sophie Ecclestone of England celebrates with Tammy Beaumont after taking her sixth wicket during the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and England at Hagley Oval on March 31, 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Women World Cup 2022's leading wicket-taker Sophie Ecclestone has said that England is capable of beating Australia on its day, warning that her side entered the ongoing World Cup final without playing its best cricket.

The final will be played at the Hagley Oval on Sunday.

"Beating the Aussies in the final, I can't really put it into words after the Ashes we had," she said according to  ESPNcricinfo .

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"I really believe in this group and on our day we can definitely beat the Aussies - we've got a great chance." 

England has had a poor tun-up to the showpiece, losing the Ashes to its traditional rival before suffering a defeat to the Aussies in its opening game of the World Cup.

"I know if we play our best cricket and our batters bat the way they can and the bowlers bowl the way they can, we've got such a great unit as a team, so we'll just focus on ourselves and do the best we can," she said.

After losing three matches in a disastrous start to the tournament, England prevailed in five must-win games to earn the right to defend the title it won at home five years ago.

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After conceded 77 runs off her 10 overs in England's 12-run defeat to Australia in the group stage, the left-arm spinner has been instrumental in the team's remarkable turnaround, claiming 20 wickets at an outstanding average of 12.85, including a career-best 6/36 against South Africa in the semifinals.

Recalling the horror start, the 22-year-old was quoted as saying by  Sky Sports , "I think when we lost three from three, there were a few tears in the changing room after the game."

"I think everyone was very disappointed with how we'd gone, but I think the turning point was having a few meetings to just say that we had nothing to lose now, so just put what we do in training out into a game and go out with no fear."

"We still haven't played our best cricket, so to get through to the final without playing our best cricket is obviously so good to see from this group."