How Australia plans to topple old enemy England en-route to world Twenty20 glory

Three titles in five attempts. It’s the numbers that have defined Australia’s success at the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament and on Sunday the Southern Stars will be hoping to add another to the tally as they clash with England over the 2018 crown.

It’s been a fruitful series for skipper Meg Lanning’s troops. Boasting only a single loss to India, Australia have set about their 2018 campaign with a marked professionalism and hunger to win. Inspired by the passion of wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, Australia’s women have built on this year’s red-hot form as they sit just one win away from the championship. Entering the competition off the back of 16 straight wins across all formats since late March and having suffered just one loss, it’s been a dream year for Australia’s women. On Sunday they will look to punctuate it all with victory over England.

It’s a story that sits in stark contrast with their male counterparts, who have struggled through one of the most turbulent times in the sport’s history as new coach Justin Langer looks to rebuild his squad ahead of the Australian summer.

Despite England’s women failing to tread the smoothest path on their way to the Women’s World Twenty20 final, Australian cricket legend Ian Healy expects a heated encounter as one of the oldest rivalries in sporting history adds another chapter to its chronicles.

Healy believes Anya Shrubhole is the main threat to Australia’s top order. The medium pacer has the ability to rattle Lanning’s troops with her dangerous inswing.

“We haven't used great tactics against her in the past and she can get a bit of a wriggle on through your order, she has a habit of getting two or three wickets quickly,” he said.

“I think we've got to go with her inswing, not against it. We back away and try to hit through covers against her. I think she's the one, if we can control what we do against her and give her nothing that will go a long way.”

Sunday’s ICC Women’s World Twenty20 final will be held at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, in Antigua. Fans wishing to watch all the action can tune into the match live on 9Gem from 10:30am (AEDT).