Sydney, Mar.20 (ANI): White Ferns coach Gary Stead has demanded that his side impose themselves on England with the aggressive style that got them within sight of their second World Cup women’s cricket title.

New Zealand enter their fourth World Cup final on Sunday as underdogs against the form side of recent years, who racked up 17 consecutive wins in completed one-day internationals until yesterday’s defeat to Australia which had no bearing on the decider.

Former test opener Stead said that he was confident about his side having the ammunition to give England a fright at North Sydney Oval.

“We will be trying to hit the English team really hard. We’re not going to take a backward step at all,” Stead told NZPA.

“We suit an aggressive style of play and although that may be a bit more high risk I think it’s the style that we play best,” he added.

New Zealand timed their run nicely this week, with a comfortable five-wicket win over India then a 223-run demolition of Pakistan, inspired by Suzie Bates’ magnificent 168 off 105 balls – the third-highest women’s ODI innings in history.

“If we can get Suzie or someone else firing as she did (against Pakistan), that’s the style of play I want to see,” Stead said.

Admittedly, England’s attack are streets ahead of Pakistan’s, and they beat New Zealand by 31 runs in their Super Six match at Bankstown last Saturday.

England have won six of their last seven completed encounters against the Ferns, with captain Charlotte Edwards the star of the most recent victory with 57 and four for 37.

Stead hopes the difference tomorrow will be the quicker pitch at North Sydney where New Zealand have played their best cricket, including the 13-run defeat of Australia which helped consign the five-time champions to tomorrow’s playoff for third against India. (ANI)