Women’s WC final Sunday

Five-time champions Australia take on a spirited West Indies in the summit clash of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in Mumbai on Sunday.

Australia were undefeated in the series until the West Indies Women beat them by eight runs in their last Super Six match.

The team from Down Under will be determined to avenge that loss and win the trophy for the sixth time. But the Aussies have a few issues to sort out ahead of the clash against the Caribbeans, who have made the final for the first time.

The batters have not fired in unison for and openers Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes haven't been able to provide a good platform, except the 55-run stand they shared in the game against Sri Lanka.

Lanning, who scored 112 in her team's victory over New Zealand, hasn't been able to convert the starts into a meaningful score, while her opening partner Haynes, except for her unbeaten 71 against Sri Lanka, hasn't contributed much in the series with the bat.

But with a formidable bowling attack, the Jodie-Fields led side would hope to restrict West Indies to a modest score in the final. Pacer Megan Schutt is one of the leading wicket-takers with 13 scalps, while the 17-year-old Holly Ferling, who made her debut in this World Cup, has been impressive with nine wickets in four matches.

Australia have been without the services of pace spearhead Ellyse Perry in the last three games and they would hope that she recovers from her ankle injury to be fit for Sunday's crucial encounter. On the other hand, West Indies will look to rewrite history and get their hands around the coveted trophy for the first time.

The odds might favour Australia Women, having won three of their four World Cup matches against West Indies Women, but the Caribbean side will have the psychological advantage of defeating them in the previous game.

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