ICC Women's CWC 2022 | 'Winning will mean more after the start we had in this competition' - Knight Head of Final

England captain Heather Knight has opined that winning the World Cup final against their 'greatest enemy', Australia, on Sunday (April 03) will mean more given the nature of the start that the defending champions had to their campaign.

England, who Australia well beat in the multi-format Ashes leading into the World Cup, had a disastrous start to their defence as they lost their opening three games.

The 2017 world champions have shown incredible temperament to win four consecutive group-stage to qualify for the semifinal, where they swatted aside an in-form South African unit with disdain.

Having set-up the finals date with a red-hot Australian side, the reigning champions will have an opportunity to become the first team from their country to claim back-to-back World Cup titles.

They will also become the first women's team to win a 50-over World Cup after dropping their first three games if they beat Australia on Sunday.

Speaking to the media ahead of the World Cup final, Heather Knight said, "I think winning will mean more after the start we had in this competition and being able to turn it around will be remarkable really, so that would make it even more special if we can do it tomorrow. 

"And back-to-back [titles], we have an opportunity to make history being the first England team to do that, and that's such an exciting thing," the English captain further said.

"Just being involved in World Cup finals is what you set your stall out as a player, what you try so hard for, what you want to be involved in, so there's huge excitement in the group," she added.

Knight further added that the calmness among the players in the dressing room paved the way for an incredible comeback from England following a disastrous start.

But, the 31-year old maintained that everybody would be charged up to come to the grand finale.

"We won't think too much about it; as we saw in 2017, it's all on the day. It's a brand-new day, a brand-new game and a chance for us to go out and show what we can do."

"I don't think anyone will not be fired up for a World Cup final. It is what you dream of playing in, the games that are the most important in your career and the games that you want to enjoy and bring your best, she said.

"That is one of the most important things, making sure that you go through the process and trying to execute what you do best as an individual," she added.

England will look to claim their fifth 50-over title on Sunday against an Australian side that's determined to claim their seventh title.