'We won't give up now' - Edwards

Charlotte Edwards is trying to keep a lid on her excitement after England booked their place in their first World Cup final since 1993 with a huge victory against West Indies at the Drummoyne Oval on Tuesday. Edwards has played in every World Cup since that winning campaign and has finally, at the fourth attempt, made it through.

"To make a cup final is really special," she told Cricinfo. She allowed herself a moment to be "really excited" for her team to have a tilt at being the first England side to win an ICC trophy - and their third overall win - before sounding a warning to other sides. "It's something we've worked really hard for and we're not going to give it up now."

But though they have become red-hot favourites thanks to a scorching campaign, the experienced Edwards knows the final is far from won. "I keep saying to the girls it's only half a job done and our biggest game is going to be on Sunday." They are likely to meet New Zealand in a repeat of the 1993 final which England won at Lord's, the second time they had lifted the trophy.

Part of what has made England such a strong side is the tough but nurturing leadership Edwards has consistently displayed since taking over the reins from Clare Connor. "I'm happy but never satisfied," she said. "There's still loads of areas we can improve on. Definitely our extras at the moment is something we keep moaning to them about.

"Ultimately, in a tournament situation you've got to win games of cricket and that's what we're doing so we won't be too hard on them. But in a tight game those extras might cause us a few problems. But I can't complain, the girls have worked so hard and they deserve everything. We're going to work so hard leading into the final and hopefully this good run of form will continue."

With today's victory, England have now equalled Australia's record for winning 17 matches on the run and nothing seems to be standing in their way right now. Australia have underperformed this tournament but England will still be wary as they seek to take the win record in their own right and head into the final on a winning note.

"Obviously a great Australian team," Edwards said. "We were a bit surprised that they're not going to make the final [in all likelihood] and I'm sure they're going to come at us very hard."

For that game, England will try to strike the balance between keeping up the momentum and risking problems for players ahead of the final. "We have to be ready for them but be careful of who we play as well," Edwards said. "We want people ready and raring on Sunday because that's our main aim at the moment."