Former Australian captain Alyssa Healy has called on the team to keep the same XI that got them to the T20 World Cup final, believing the side that takes the \u201chandbrake\u201d off first will lose on Sunday at Lord\u2019s. <\/p>\n
New skipper Sophie Molineux hinted \u201cunpredictability\u201d could be part of their plans for England ahead of the final, as Australia decide what to do with their team on game day. <\/p>\n
A final call on Ellyse Perry\u2019s fitness will be made on Sunday after she retired hurt with quad awareness in the semi-final against the West Indies. The all-rounder trained well on Saturday, with all signs pointing to her being available for the final. <\/p>\n
Molineux also confirmed that Alana King was \u201ccertainly in the frame\u201d for the match, given her stranglehold over England in recent years. <\/p>\n
The leg-spinner didn\u2019t play in Australia\u2019s semi-final win, but took 23 wickets across seven matches in last year\u2019s Ashes series. Her inclusion would likely mean a tough call on either youngster Lucy Hamilton or all-rounder Nicola Carey.<\/p>\n
But Healy felt Australia should stick with Hamilton because her left-arm pace is still unique in world cricket and would be well suited to playing at Lord\u2019s. <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a selection piece, Lucy Hamilton brings a real point of difference to that side,\u201d Healy said. \u201cPlaying at Lord\u2019s, as well with the slope, I think she could be a really handy asset coming in from one end. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got spin galore elsewhere. So, I dare say that I would lean that way, but I think from a selection piece, you can\u2019t really go wrong. Leg spin against England in the final has worked. I think our batters just need to make sure they get their job done, and the bowlers will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Molineux stated that a decision on a final XI would be left until Sunday, giving every chance for Perry to be at full fitness. <\/p>\n
However, the Australians haven\u2019t shied away from the fact that they could pick Perry as a specialist batter given her extraordinary form this tournament. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be great if she could bowl for us, but at the same time, if we\u2019re bowling, we think we\u2019ve got a bit of cover there,\u201d Molineux said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHer T20 World Cup so far with the bat has been incredible, really. She\u2019s won a couple of games for us there, so I think her with the bat, and if she\u2019s not bowling, is still a massive positive for us. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll definitely look at (Alana). I think unpredictability is a big part of T20 cricket, but at the same time, you\u2019ve got to back what we\u2019ve got, and it\u2019s been eight or nine bowlers in the 11 at the moment. We\u2019ll have a look tomorrow and make sure we make the right call on that front.\u201d<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s dominance this tournament has seen them go into the match at Lord\u2019s as favourites, with their strong record against England, who they haven\u2019t lost to in any format in nearly three years, potentially giving them a psychological edge. <\/p>\n
But for Healy, it\u2019s the \u201cfreedom\u201d with which Australia has played that has impressed her most. And while there will be expectation on the Aussies to add another World Cup to their cabinet, she senses this team won\u2019t feel the pressure and will continue their brave cricket all the way to victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cI read that we\u2019ve broken the curse, and I\u2019m like, we\u2019ve made two semi-finals, we\u2019ve done really well,\u201d Healy said. \u201cI think that just shows the expectations, not just us, but everybody places on our team. <\/p>\n
\u201cI still think the Aussie team is the benchmark of the women\u2019s game. And I guess there\u2019s a point to prove in that regard. But what I\u2019m loving most about it is that they look like they\u2019re enjoying themselves. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re playing with that freedom that I think we\u2019ve been craving in the T20 format for a long period of time. We\u2019ve sort of had the handbrake on a little bit, but I think we\u2019ve taken the handbrake off, we\u2019re having fun, we\u2019re highly skilled at what we do, and we\u2019re taking the game on. I think we\u2019re really dangerous when we do that. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be the first team to put the handbrake on a little bit that\u2019s going to lose. So they\u2019ve just got to keep backing what they\u2019re doing, take the game on and risk it, and I think they\u2019ll come out on top.\u201d<\/p>\n