Aussie juggernaut hailed for 'setting the standard' for rest

English cricket has hailed the mastery of Australia's all-conquering women's global champions, admitting the rest of the world is playing catch-up.

Following their supreme World Cup final triumph over England in Christchurch on Sunday, the Aussie women were saluted by Nasser Hussain for "setting the standard for world cricket".

And Clare Connor, the managing director of England women's cricket, reckoned the brilliance of one of global sport's finest teams should act as an inspiration for the rest of their pursuers.

Former England men's captain Hussain, who watched Australia's win at the Hagley Oval, told Sky Sports: "Australia have been clinical, but not just here.

"They've won 40 of their past 42 in this World Cup cycle, and they are setting the standard for world cricket.

"They look trim, they look athletic, their skills are perfect and the depth to their cricket is just remarkable.

"Say if Ellyse Perry hadn't played today, (Annabel) Sutherland would have played and they'd have been just as good.

"And that's talking about Perry, one of the great cricketers ever to play the game."

Connor called the 71-run win a "remarkable, almost once-in-generation performance" from the Australians, highlighted by Alyssa Healy's 170, perhaps the all-time greatest World Cup knock.  

"The rest of the world is really playing catch-up with the Australians' depth in terms of domestic structures, pathways, investment, the prioritisation that Cricket Australia has given the women's game over a number of years," said Connor.

"For all of us, that's inspirational and it gives us even greater motivation to make sure that the women's game says 'that's the standard we have to meet'. 

"But it doesn't happen by magic. It happens over years of investment, focus, dedication, resources and culture. 

"And that's what Australian cricket has done brilliantly and what's given this women's team the platform to put in that sort of performance."

Charlotte Edwards, England's former World Cup-winning captain, was also left in awe of the strength-in-depth of the Australian team.

"Had we have lost Nat Sciver (who scored an unbeaten 148 in a lost cause in England's reply), we wouldn't have been able to replace her," said Edwards. 

"Ellyse Perry hasn't played some this tournament and Annabel Sutherland has just stepped up. That's the depth Australia have got.

"Australia have been professional for eight years, we've been professional for two years. 

"Hopefully we'll learn from what Australia have done over the last eight, nine years, how they've created this depth of talent. 

"They've been mightily impressive. They've set the standard in the game now and everyone else has got to catch them.

"But I look forward to our players being able to play with and against them this summer, because that's where you learn most."

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

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

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Australia beat West Indies by 157 runs

Mar 31: England beat South Africa by 137 runs

Final

Apr 3: Australia beat England by 71 runs