Highlights: England Beat South Africa to Reach World Cup Final Against Australia
The odds are not in England's favour.
They have faced Australia six times in Women's World Cup finals across both white-ball formats and lost on every occasion.
The most recent defeat was in New Zealand in 2022, but the memories of earlier losses remain particularly painful.
Many recall the 16-0 defeat in Australia and the aftermath, which brought intense criticism regarding England's shortcomings compared to the Aussies—covering fitness, fielding, attitude, and perception.
However, that defeat triggered necessary changes that were rapidly implemented, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) appointing Charlotte Edwards to guide the team out of one of its lowest points.
Last year's 50-over World Cup in India came too soon to fully assess Edwards' impact, but she has been candid about this T20 World Cup being the true test of her influence.
To date, England have performed strongly, advancing through the group stage unbeaten and then decisively defeating South Africa in the semi-final.
Australia, also unbeaten, present a different challenge. They remain England's Achilles heel.
The players have openly acknowledged the lasting impact of the 2025 series, which left emotional scars. While England appear re-energised and confident, the question remains: how can they overcome Australia's mental advantage?
'They can defeat you before you've even started'
Former England fast bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt will watch from Lord's as her wife Nat leads England towards potential glory.
Though often a nervous spectator—frequently unable to watch matches live during her BBC Test Match Special commentary stints—Sciver-Brunt was fiercely competitive as a player, with Australia being the team that most ignited her passion.
"For me, I just saw it as the biggest fight," Sciver-Brunt told when discussing the mental battle of playing Australia.
"When you play Australia, because they are so good, it brought out an animal in me because I had to go to that place. They bring out the best in you.
"But at the same time, they can defeat you before you've even started and I think that's what happened with West Indies [in the semi-final] – Australia can get in your head before you've even set foot on the field and you can't let that happen."
Since the Ashes series, England have faced Australia twice: a six-wicket loss at the World Cup in October and a five-wicket defeat in a warm-up match before this tournament began.
Despite this record, Sciver-Brunt does not believe England are dwelling on past defeats.
"As a recent ex-player, it's really difficult for me to switch off my feelings when it comes to England v Australia," Sciver-Brunt said with a laugh.
"I know they completely whooped us and as a player, I would be someone who latched on to that.
"But my head hasn't gone there [to the Ashes] and I honestly don't think it's in theirs either. What you're seeing from England is so different now and it's happened very quickly.
"They're riding this wave of a new start and a new beginning and they've got all the confidence and belief that you need to win something major."
At Lord's, the stakes are significantly higher, and this England team has previously been criticised for struggling to handle such occasions.
That is where a game legend steps in to provide leadership.
The Edwards Effect
Big breakthrough for England as Wolvaardt is caught early
Charlotte Edwards, an Ashes and World Cup-winning captain, has played a pivotal role in England's on-field transformation and will be crucial off the field if England are to overcome Australia.
Edwards is a fierce competitor and meticulous planner who has not shied away from addressing the difficult conversations about the improvements the team needed.
Jeremy Snape, former England cricketer turned sports psychologist, notes that memories of the Ashes losses cannot be ignored but should be used as motivation.
"Humiliating losses create emotional scars, but the skill of great coaches is to convert that shame into motivational fuel," Snape told .
"They should discuss the Ashes loss, but not to wallow - to extract the lessons from it. Sometimes our biggest rival is in our heads and the teams that talk about pressure, rather than ignoring it, are the ones that overcome it."
Sciver-Brunt added that one of Edwards' greatest strengths as a coach is the clarity she provides to players about their roles, which has given them freedom and confidence in their responsibilities.
Young all-rounders Dani Gibson and Freya Kemp exemplify this approach, bringing energy to England's fielding with their agility and athleticism, as well as a fearless batting style. Their standout moment was a 61-run partnership off just 21 balls against Scotland in the group stage.
Interestingly, the impact of Edwards' coaching has also been recognised by Australia.
"I wouldn't have thought Lottie would let that happen," said Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry when asked if Australia have a psychological edge over England.
Opening batter Phoebe Litchfield also commented: "The way their leadership, coaching staff and the group has been playing, it seems like a different England to the one we played in the Ashes."
Women's T20 World Cup Final: England v Australia
Ball-by-ball commentary is available on and the website and app, which will also provide live text commentary and video highlights.
'Calm, Clinical Revenge One Ball at a Time'
Both teams have dismissed suggestions of being favourites, whether England with home advantage or Australia as the world's top-ranked side.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone summed up the situation after the semi-final victory:
"We know they're a great team, but so are we."
Reversing the narrative and positioning Australia as favourites can be a psychological tool for England to manage pressure.
"Adversity can either fragment or galvanise teams," Snape added.
"England have the benefit of going into this final as underdogs, which shifts the psychological burden onto Australia. They need to focus on their intent, not what the Aussies might do to them.
"England are in great form and have the home crowd behind them. This is the perfect time for calm, clinical revenge one ball at a time."
Alex Hartley, a World Cup winner with England in 2017 and now retired, has observed the team's journey through highs and lows.
"When Australia are going hard at you, don't crumble," Hartley told BBC Test Match Special.
"They are human, they're not robots and they'll be feeling the pressure too. They are going to have good spells in the game, but if England can hold their nerve they are very capable of fighting back.
"The way I've seen England play, they have cruised through this group stage and set the standard. It's given them all so much confidence - it's not going to be easy but I do believe they can do it."
Australia took England to their lowest point and were the catalyst for their overhaul.
Now, England have the opportunity to thank them by challenging their dominance.
- Hard work and a disco jacket - how England turned fielding woes around
- Perry comes through training before T20 World Cup final
- How to follow England's T20 World Cup final on the BBC
