Ecclestone emerges from ashes of an Aussie hiding

Australia are one step away from regaining the piece of silverware they desire most, but there remains one significant hurdle standing in their way: Sophie Ecclestone.

And Meg Lanning's team may only have themselves to blame for her rediscovered form and confidence.

Ecclestone, the world's top-ranked white-ball bowler, was easily dispatched during the Ashes, where she claimed just four wickets at an average of 61, and then treated with disdain in the World Cup opener in Hamilton when Australia took her for 0-77.

But the tall left-arm spinner has since turned her campaign around in staggering fashion, taking 20 wickets in 65.3 overs across her past seven matches, including 6-36 in the semi-final against South Africa.

She's also delivered 12 maidens to maintain an economy rate of 3.40 and has formed a handy middle-overs partnership with rookie off-spinner Charlie Dean, who has taken 10 wickets in five matches after being recalled midway through the tournament.

"I think it was probably that first game against Australia (that was Ecclestone's turning point)," England captain Heather Knight said on Saturday.

"It was her first World Cup game and I think there may be a few nerves around and she was really disappointed with how she performed.

Image Id: 4D22AC98C462432CB271283FF2515795 Image Caption: Sophie Ecclestone was punished for 77 runs in the round-robin match-up with Australia // Getty

"I think the maturity she showed to take in what went wrong and have the resilience to come back the way she has is brilliant.

"She's worked super hard in the nets after that game, tweaking a few things, making sure she's executing what she needs to and keeping it very simple.

"She's done a remarkable job to turn it around and I know, knowing Soph, that with the start she had against Australia, I'll know that she'll want to be the one to really dominate and really perform."

Ecclestone's resurgence sets up a mouth-watering contest with Australia's in-form batting line-up; Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy occupy three of the top four spots on the tournament runs tally, Beth Mooney has been dismissed just twice in eight innings, while Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath have scarcely been called upon and Ellyse Perry is set to return from injury.

Australia's top six dedicated significant portions of their two final training sessions in Christchurch to facing left-arm spin, with diminutive assistant coach Shelley Nitschke among those doing their best to replicate 1.8m tall Ecclestone's high release point.

But Australia captain Lanning said Ecclestone was not the only England player they would be wary of, with their rivals' bowling attack also featuring veterans Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole and Kate Cross, alongside a batting line-up featuring the might of Knight, Natalie Sciver and Tammy Beaumont that is finally finding form.

"We've looked at everyone through their team," Lanning said.

"We've identified the key threats with bat and ball and we know that they've got some world-class players, so we're preparing for all of their players to play at their best.

"We feel like we've got some good plans in place to be able to combat that, but it's going to be hard work and a really good contest and we're excited by that."

Lanning will become just the seventh Australian women to mark 100 one-day internationals on Sunday, but the Australia skipper says the milestone will mean little if she does not end the day lifting the World Cup trophy.

Lanning, who made her debut against England in Perth in January 2011 and scored a ton against them in just her second match, is again desperate to get one over the old enemy at Hagley Oval on Sunday.

"It's a huge honour to play that many games for your country, I feel very lucky to be able to do it and for it to be in a World Cup final is great ... but ultimately it comes down to the game tomorrow and trying to try to win that game," Lanning.

"I'll certainly be doing my best to try and contribute to that win."

If Australia are feeling the pressure of being the strong favourites to take out the title – they have lost just two of 41 ODIs since the last event in 2017 – it has not showed throughout the tournament.

It could be argued that getting through the semi-final unscathed and avoiding a repeat of their shock defeat to India in 2017 was the biggest mental hurdle, leaving the No.1 ranked side now ready to show the world what they are capable of.

"There's certainly some nerves around, I think you'd be crazy if you weren't nervous heading into a World Cup final, so it's a good thing," Lanning said.

"But there's a lot of excitement, it's a great opportunity for our team to go out on a big stage and play really good cricket.

"We feel like we've been building throughout the tournament and we've got a really good game plan and also the skill sets within the team to be able to deliver, but it comes down to what happens tomorrow.

"We know that it's going to be tough, England always provide a great contest … 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 out as close to our best as possible, then that will give us a good chance."

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Beat England by 12 runs

Mar 8: Beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Mar 13: Beat New Zealand by 141 runs

Mar 15: Beat West Indies by seven wickets

Mar 19: Beat India by six wickets

Mar 22: Beat South Africa by five wickets

Mar 25: Beat Bangladesh by five wickets

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Australia beat West Indies by 157 runs

Mar 31: England beat South Africa by 137 runs

Final

Apr 3: Australia v England, Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEST

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports