The captain accepts the defending champions go into Sunday's final as underdogs against unbeaten Australia, but is hoping her side can draw on their 2017 success for inspiration
England have nothing to fear when they renewed their rivalry with Australia in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday (April 3), insists captain Heather Knight.
The skipper was speaking after hailing the display in the 137-run semi-final victory over South Africa as the "complete performance".
A day of career-best performances included Danni Wyatt's best international score of 129 and Sophie Ecclestone (6 for 36) claiming her first five-for in an England shirt.
"I think that was a real complete performance from us today, what we've been searching for a little bit actually," said Knight, whose side lost their first three group games after a winless Ashes series, at the post-match presentation. "Really chuffed that the girls have bought their best cricket when it is all on the line.
"The fact we have played knockout cricket for the last four games has helped us a little bit. It felt like another game that we have been playing. Really chuffed and excited for Sunday."
Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt were the stars of the show (SANKA VIDANAGAMA/Getty Images)
Knight is under no illusions that England will arrive in the final as firm underdogs. Australia have won all eight of their tournament matches and finished the Ashes unbeaten - winning the three ODIs in Canberra in the process.
Six of the side that beat India to scoop the title five years ago at Lord's are in England's ranks in New Zealand, including Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Nat Sciver, Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole and Lauren Winfield-Hill.
And drawing on the experience of that dramatic afternoon at the home of cricket will be critical to dealing with the occasion, according to the skipper.
"It’s a huge game, so you want to keep things as normal and steady as possible, try not to out too much on it," Knight told Test Match Special.
"What an occasion it’s going to be. It was a great occasion five years ago. I’m sure there will be nerves and excitement. We’ll go in as underdogs, which is certainly fair, but what a day it will be.
"It's obviously a big honour to play a World Cup and it was an amazing campaign for South Africa. We're not going to take anything away from that."
"I think embracing the challenges, everything that comes with the day – the pressure, the crowd – whatever it might be. It’s a day to look forward to, for sure."
In what was a rematch of the 2017 semi-final, there was a familiar feeling of disappointment for South Africa who were outplayed in all departments at Hagley Oval.
Five dropped chances off Wyatt allowed England to set a target of 294, which would have been a record chase in a women's ODI.
Early wickets, which saw Laura Wolvardt and Lizelle Lee fall in the opening four overs, put The Proteas firmly on the back foot and it was a position from which they never recovered.
Captain Sune Luus said: "(I) don't think we had our best fielding performance. England played an extremely good game today and well done to them, to Heather and the team.
Knight hopes England can use the experience of 2017 when they come to defend their title (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
"We needed to bring out best performance today and we didn't and we're feeling it.
"We needed to be clinical today and we weren't. We'll keep on working. We had a great campaign this World Cup and we're not taking anything away from that.
"It's obviously a big honour to play a World Cup and it was an amazing campaign for South Africa. We're not going to take anything away from that.
"When we go back home I know people are extremely proud of us. From a captain's point of view, I am extremely proud of the team and what we have achieved here so I am definitely not taking anything away from that."
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