All you need to know for the World Cup final

Who, what and when?

Australia v England in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup final.

April 3, Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEST, 2pm local

How can I watch?

Foxtel and Kayo Sports are the only places to watch the World Cup in Australia. The subscription services will broadcast every one of the tournament's matches exclusively and, in good news for fans, they will be available to watch free of charge via Kayo Freebies. You can sign-up for Kayo here, starting with a 14-day free trial.

Will there be crowds?

In great news for local fans, New Zealand dropped its capacity limits for outdoor events last week, so the World Cup finals can be sold at 100 per cent capacity, up from what had been a 20 per cent cap. Sadly for fans outside of New Zealand, the country's borders remain closed to tourists, with the recently announced re-opening to Australians not taking place until April 12.

What if it rains?

Firstly, the weather forecast is pretty good, with not much chance of rain, but a chilly 18C is the expected top, with a brisk breeze about. Fortunately, if the rain does hit, there is a reserve day for the final, on Monday, April 4. The rules of this ICC tournament require 20 overs per side for a completed match, and match officials will do their best to get a result on the day before the reserve day comes into the equation.

Dare I ask… what happens if it's a tie?

If the final is tied, the teams shall compete in a Super Over. And if the Super Over is a tie, subsequent Super Overs will be played until a winner is determined. No more boundary countbacks! If weather conditions or other circumstances prevent the Super Over from being completed on the scheduled day or reserve day, the teams will be declared joint winners.

Likely teams

The big question for Australia: will Ellyse Perry play? The injured allrounder moved well during fielding drills and had a net against throwdowns in Friday, but it was far from the conclusive training session that would have a big tick next to her name after back spasms kept her on the sidelines for the semi-finals. Either she plays, or Annabel Sutherland takes her place, unless Australia have a surprise up their sleeve.

Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

It seems unlikely England will make a change unless injury or illness forces their hand. Moving Danni Wyatt to the top of the order in place of Lauren Winfield-Hill, and adding off-spinner Charlie Dean to the mix has proved a winning combination, and a different side to the one Australia defeated in Hamilton at the start of the tournament.

England: Tammy Beaumont, Danni Wyatt, Heather Knight (c), Natalie Sciver, Amy Jones (wk), Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Kate Cross, Anya Shrubsole

Last time they met

Australia 3-310 (Haynes 130, Lanning 86; Sciver 2-68) defeated England 8-298 (Sciver 109*, Beaumont 74; King 3-59) by 12 runs at Seddon Park, Hamilton

ICC ODI Rankings

Australia: 1st; England: 3rd

Overall record

Played 82 | Australia 56 | England 22 | Tied 1 | No result 3

Best World Cup result

Australia: Champions (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013)

England: Champions: (1973, 1993, 2009, 2017)

Road to the semi-finals

Australia's form line (most recent first): WWWWWWWW

It is 'W's across the board for Australia, who advanced through the round-robin stage unbeaten but were forced to dig deep at various stages. They held off a fast-finishing England in their opening game in Hamilton, and while wins over Pakistan, New Zealand and West Indies were ultimately routine, Australia had to pull off the (then) two biggest chases in tournament history to beat India and South Africa. They were in all sorts of trouble at 5-70 against Bangladesh before Beth Mooney steered them home. Their semi-final win over West Indies could be deemed nothing but clinical.

England's form line (most recent first): WWWWWLLL

England, meanwhile, found themselves staring down the barrel of an early exit after defeats to Australia, West Indies and South Africa. Needing to win four on the trot to advance, they hit back with a thumping victory over India, then edged home by just one wicket against New Zealand, before sealing their spot in the semis with convincing wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Then, they turned the tables on the Proteas in stunning fashion in the semi-final. Wyatt's century combined with a rapid fifty from Dunkley powered England to a hefty 293, before Sophie Ecclestone claimed 6-36 to seal a massive victory.

In-form players

Meg Lanning, Rachael Haynes and Beth Mooney have all been in sparkling form, while Alyssa Healy was at her brilliant best during the semi-final, parachuting herself into the top four run scorers at this tournament. She hates the title, but dare we say 'big game player'?

Australia have not had consistently dominant performances with the ball but Jess Jonassen has worked herself into some nice form to be their leading wicket taker, while Darcie Brown, Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner have point their hands up at various points.

Sophie Ecclestone is the world's top-ranked white-ball bowler and the left-arm spinner has been showing why at this tournament, sitting well clear on top of the wickets table with 20 to her name, including six in the semi-final. Aside from a poor start against Australia, where she had figures of 0-77 from 10 overs, Ecclestone has looked a class above, even when England did not get over the line.

Off-spinner Charlie Dean did not play in that first game against Australia but since being recalled, has made a significant impact, taking 10 wickets.

Natalie Sciver has been leading the way with the bat with stars Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight not producing their usual weights of runs thus far, but all eyes will be on Danni Wyatt after her show-stealing century in the semi-final, and whether she can repeat the dose against Australia on the biggest stage. Wyatt was batting at No.7 when the sides met at the start of the tournament, but has since been promoted to the top of the order in place of Lauren Winfield-Hill.

So how do they stack up?

Australia rightfully go in as favourites. Their form throughout this tournament has been dominant, and they had the wood over England through the women's Ashes immediately prior to the World Cup, including winning all three one-dayers. It is also worth nothing England haven't beaten Australia in an ODI since 2017, and their only victory against their rivals in the intervening period was a sole T20 dead rubber during the 2019 Ashes.

However, this England team has remembered how to win, has fought tooth and nail to keep their title defence alive through five essential knockout games, and players who were scratching for form during the Ashes are starting to peak. This should be a cracking contest.

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Beat England by 12 runs

Mar 8: Beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Mar 13: Beat New Zealand by 141 runs

Mar 15: Beat West Indies by seven wickets

Mar 19: Beat India by six wickets

Mar 22: Beat South Africa by five wickets

Mar 25: Beat Bangladesh by five wickets

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Australia beat West Indies by 157 runs

Mar 31: England beat South Africa by 137 runs

Final

Apr 3: Australia v England, Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEST

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports