AU W VS EN W FINAL

Meg Lanning drops the mic and hurries to the podium as she lifts the World Cup trophy along with her teammates. Australia Women are the champions for the SEVENTH-TIME. One month of wonderful cricket in New Zealand comes to an end. Hands down, this World Cup had thrillers, climaxes, and nail-biters. Hope you enjoyed the coverage just as much as we did. We conclude this tournament here but there is a lot of cricket happening across the globe. But from here, it is goodbye!

Meg Lanning, the victorious skipper says that they have been very consistent throughout the tournament, and to perform the whole tournament the same way is remarkable and adds that they deserved to win today. Mentions that they knew they needed a number of players to contribute throughout the tournament, and even off the field, they have had great support from the staff and coaches. Informs that she was nervous all the way through the second innings, and they knew England would come hard at them. States that it is important to have some depth and they can't rely on one or two players. Concludes by thanking the England team for such a competitive game, and says that they will enjoy this victory!

The newly made champions, Australia Women will collect their medals now.

Heather Knight, the skipper of England Women. She says it was a 50-50 decision at the toss but credit to Australia Women for putting up a show. Admits it was one of the best innings (Alyssa Healy's inning) she has seen in the World Cup. Adds that even Natalie Sciver's inning was remarkable and they missed out on a big partnership. Tells that she is proud of the group, and staff and they showed character to turn things around but unfortunately it didn't work out. Informs there is Commonwealth games at home, World Cup coming up so they are busy but proud of themselves. Credits the staff to keep them on the road and the crowd as well for turning up.

Now, England Women team come up to the podium as they collect the runners-up medal.

ALYSSA HEALY is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AND THE PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT! She says she is 32 and she has seen it all, her team just sets out for big events and everyone sets their minds to win it and she adds that she is grateful for the opportunity. Mentions that she could not ask her anything more today, they put a huge total on the board, they have done it in the entire tournament, but it feels good to do it again on this best stage. Adds that the most challenging part was the first 10 overs since two world-class players were swinging the ball. Informs that Rachael Haynes did the bulk of the work at the top throughout the tournament, and she really enjoyed being there!

The match officials will receive their medals first for the wonderful work throughout the tournament.

Stay tuned for the presentation

Ellyse Perry says that today was just wonderful, and they had a wonderful crowd in. Mentions that it was pretty close for her playing this game but a huge amount of gratitude for their medical team for helping her recover. On being asked if she wanted to bowl today, she says she did mark her run-up when they got to the ground but it was a long shot. Adds that it was just a shift of attitude and mindset from the World Cup in 2017. Alana King is also up for a chat. She says to go invincible shows the character of the game. Adds that the batters will come for her and she likes that challenge. Mentions, from the moment she walked in she, was welcomed with open arms. On Healy's inning, she says she was eating a bit of popcorn on the side and enjoying the show she was putting out.

Rachael Haynes says that it was nice to contribute some runs, and most importantly feels nice to win now. Mentions that Alyssa Healy was phenomenal, one of the best knocks she has ever seen. Informs that the World Cup in 2017 did not go as per their plans, but they executed their plans here, and they were consistent in this tournament, and it was very special.

Alyssa Healy, the star of the World Cup final is up for a quick chat. She says that it was a special game of cricket, a high-scoring one. The victory still has not sunk in, but it is pretty cool to win! Mentions that their job was half done, they had a very good total on the board, they had to just bowl well, but it was a good game of cricket. States that they wanted to get out there and put a big total on the board, and she is proud of the entire batting unit. Informs that everyone has worked very hard for this, and credits the full team.

Earlier in the day, we witnessed the greatest knock ever seen in the World Cup, let alone the final. Alyssa Healy made her name all over the world with a phenomenal innings of 170. She was well supported by Rachael Haynes and Beth Mooney. England Women were brave in their chase but not good enough to defend the title.

Australia Women stuck to their plans. They kept picking wickets at regular intervals and kept the pressure intact. It was just the innings from Natalie Sciver that gave them a few hiccups but they made sure to keep the other side of the wickets tumbling. Even the fielding was much better from Australia as compared to England and this small thing makes a huge difference in the mega-events. If England would have taken those drop catches, things would have been different.

Natalie Sciver almost pulled off her team but she was left alone in the middle to chase a humongous total. There were small partnerships from Amy Jones, Sophia Dunkley, and Charlotte Dean but no one just stayed there with her. In these mammoth chases, the openers play a crucial role but England lost both inside the powerplay and they were under pressure right from the start.

AUSTRALIA ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS! They have won their seventh World Cup and they truly deserve to be crowned the champions! They have done nothing wrong in the entire tournament. They are 'The Invincibles' and indeed the No.1 ranked team in the World. Mighty Aussies for a reason! Take a bow, Australia! Here come the other teammates and there is a huge group of Yellow in the middle, celebrating the success. Nothing to take away from England and especially Natalie Sciver who played one of the best knocks you will ever see in the chase. She gave a glimpse of hope to England Women, but unfortunately could not get her team over the line.

OUT! CAUGHT! AUSTRALIA  ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS! Jess Jonassen finishes things off! She grabs her third wicket! A fuller ball, flatter delivery, around off. Anya Shrubsole dances down the wicket, and looks to clear the fielder at mid off. But the ball goes off the bottom of the bat and flies just over mid off. Ashleigh Gardner backtrack, and pouches it safely! Natalie Sciver remains unbeaten, hard luck for her, she fought well! Australia Women win by 71 runs!

Shorter ball, outside off. Anya Shrubsole chops it towards point.

Fuller delivery, around middle. Natalie Sciver tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single. Anya Shrubsole will be on strike!