Live updates: Australia vs England, Women's Cricket World Cup final from Hagley Oval

Australia is taking on defending champion England in the women's Cricket World Cup final.

As the overwhelming favourites, Australia will look to claim a record-extending eighth 50-over World Cup crown but first since 2013 against their old rivals.

However, England will be hoping to ride impressive form all the way to a fifth title — and second in a row — after recovering from losing its first three matches at this year's tournament.

Follow all the action in our ball-by-ball live blog.

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By Simon Smale

By Simon Smale

Unbeaten, yes. Unstoppable? Perhaps.

Australia are arguably the best international team in world sport and have been for an awful long time.

«There's no doubt about that we've had our eyes set on winning this tournament for a long time,» Australia captain Meg Lanning told the BBC.

No doubt.

Since their shock semi-final defeat in 2017, Australia have only lost two of the 41 ODIs they have played.

They've also won a couple of T20 World Cups as well.

Australia also swept England in the Women's Ashes ODI matches just a couple of months ago by huge margins of 27 runs, 5 wickets — with 88 balls remaining, and 8 wickets — with 82 balls remaining. 

Nethertheless, Australia do not want to discount the challenge of their long-time rivals.

«England are hitting hitting peak form at the right time, so it's going to be a huge challenge for us,» Lanning said.

«We we know we have to play well to be able to beat them, but it's an exciting opportunity.

»You can think about it how you like, but we're coming in to this game wanting to win as we do every other game."

Heather Knight though, was pretty clear in describing the Aussies as «clear favourites».

By Simon Smale

After