Cricket World Cup: Kate Cross & Amy Jones set for final after missing 2017

Kate Cross did not want England to win the World Cup.

Five years ago, Cross was left out of the squad for the tournament on home soil, but he was at Lord's watching.

Cross, Jones and Farrant were left with an unenviable position as England were on the way to becoming world champion.

Only 15 spots in the World Cup squad were available because there were 18 centrally contracted players. The invitation to the biggest women's cricket event ever held in the UK was withdrawn by Cross, Jones and Farrant.

They are in the England team that reached the final. Jones and his team are going to play against Australia on Sunday.

Their experience of the last tournament was complicated by their close friendship with the players who won the World Cup.

Alex Hartley was given a lift by Cross on the day the World Cup squad was announced. Cross had to wait for Hartley to finish a meeting so she could call her parents, but she was unable to.

It was worse for Jones, who shared a house with four other people.

The other girls brought me loads of sweets and chocolates after I found out. It was awkward for them because they just had good news.

The discarded players were told to stay around the squad, but Cross retreated after a year of battling anxiety and depression.

She says that they were not a priority at that stage and that she tried to stay away as much as possible.

Cross' parents had to convince her to go to the final to support her friends. She missed the start of the game because her boyfriend got locked in a toilet at a motorway service station.

Cross says that there was a moment when he realized what an occasion it was. Get on with it, you are not involved, swallow the pill.

As tensions rose and England were being carried to a thrilling nine-run win by Anya Shrubsole's memorable spell of bowling, Cross was distracted by taking care of the assistant coach's young son.

She cried like a madman when they did win, after a roller coaster between wanting them to win and not.

Jones says she turned into a young girl because she was a huge England fan.

She says that it was perfect and that it might have been down to a bit of champagne.

Cross and Jones were invited into the England dressing room and their contrasting feelings are perfectly encapsulated by a picture of the celebrations.

Cross is to the back and side, almost shying away, because Jones is in the centre.

Cross says that he shouldn't be in the room.

I said no when they asked why I hadn't won it. It is not my trophy.

I remember thinking that the next time I get an opportunity, I will be playing. I will have the right to hold that trophy.

In the days and weeks that followed, Jones would feel a mixture of joy and sadness.

Everyone was talking about how great it was, but she felt that she could not do it.

There was a picture of the winning team on the wall. It is a constant reminder of a time when I missed out.

For a long time afterwards, it was a huge motivator to me.

The World Cup should have been held in 2021, but it will be delayed by a year because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Cross and Jones were regulars in England.

When the World Cup was postponed, Cross thought he wouldn't be able to play cricket for another year.

They were part of the England team that were on the verge of elimination after losing their first three matches. At the end of the third, Cross thought England were out of the game.

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Their redemption has involved five successive wins to book a final meeting with Australia, the strongest international sports team on the planet.

No England team has successfully defended a World Cup in any format, but with the chance to do so, England will start as heavy favorites.

Jones says it would be incredible and that it would add to it. The route we took to get here makes it even more special.

I play out different scenarios in my head.

It would be unbelievable.