Women’s T20 World Cup final: Nasser Hussain says England will not carry any ‘mental baggage’ into Sunday’s clash with Australia at Lord’s | cricket news

Nasser Hussain says England don’t need to carry any “mental baggage” into the Women’s T20 World Cup final to have a chance of beating favorites Australia.

England and Australia- See you at Lord’s on Sunday from 3.30pm – have won all six of their matches in this year’s tournament, with the host nation securing their place in the showpiece game after defeating South Africa at The Oval on Thursday night.

Now, though, comes the heavyweight challenge of the six-time T20 World Cup champions, who thrashed England 16-0 in the 2025 Ashes and defeated them in a warm-up match in Cardiff ahead of this year’s competition.

Sky Sports Pandit Hussain said: “The first thing is the mind game with ourselves. Do they really believe they can beat Australia? That’s the first hurdle to overcome.

“No emotional baggage, no scars. It needs to be, ‘We’re a new England, under a new coach (Charlotte Edwards took over after the Ashes), we’re coming at you, Australia’.”

“Honestly I don’t see many weaknesses in that Australia team, and their biggest strength is the long batting line-up that keeps coming at you.

The only way England can beat Australia is to have their best day on the cricket field. Struggled against them in the past. But they have a lot of momentum going into that game and this win against South Africa in the knockout game will give them the confidence to try and get the win.

“The only thing is that sometimes because they have such a long batting line-up, they sometimes think, ‘I can leave it to the next batter, then the next batter,’ and then all of a sudden they’re in a little bit of trouble.

“In a final at Lord’s, with a huge home crowd behind them, can England beat Australia? Of course they can.

But Australia is favourite.

Knight, Cyver-Brant and Fielding stood up to the pressure

England’s hopes of reaching their first T20 World Cup final since losing to Australia in the Caribbean in 2018 were dealt a blow as they trailed 23-3 in four overs against South Africa, dismissing Danny Watt-Hodge, Amy Jones and Alice Capsey cheaply.

However, fit-again captain Nat Syver-Brant, who missed the last three group matches with a calf complaint, and ex-captain Heather Knight scored a half-century and 133 off 90 balls to help their team to a total of 169-5.

South Africa were restricted to 129-8 in reply as England bowled smartly and fielded sharply – Sophie Ecclestone taking brilliant catches at mid-on and short fine leg to take figures of 1-21 from four overs.

Hussain added: “I remember there was a women’s game earlier in the summer and was asked about Knight because she was struggling a bit with her form.

“I said England will need a bit of experience and understand that even in 20-overs you can give the opposition five overs and catch up.

“His partnership with Sciver-Brunt in the semi-final was outstanding and Sciver-Brunt was brilliant. He really picks up the length like all great players.

“In terms of fielding, it is always going to be a big test.

“It’s one thing to perform in the group stage games when they’re tomorrow but if you mess up in the semi-finals there’s no tomorrow.

“There was a lot of energy on the field and I think that would please (head coach) Charlotte Edwards the most.

“Their fielding has lost under pressure before but under pressure here it really came to the fore.”

Watch the Women’s T20 World Cup final between England and Australia at Lord’s, live Sky Sports Cricket And Sky Sports Main Event Sunday from 2.30pm (first ball 3.30pm). You can also watch the match live for free on the Sky Sports app.

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