After 44 years of hurt and eleven editions of the Cricket World Cup, England have the chance to see their names engraved on the globed trophy for the first time in history, joining previous winners West Indies, India, Australia and Pakistan in ruling the one-day game.

New Zealand are in a similar boat. Having lost the final to Australia four years ago the Black Caps have the chance for redemption – they’ll have to overcome odds of 49/20 to do so, as they also chase their maiden Cricket World Cup crown.

The hosts cantered to victory in their semi-final against fierce rivals Australia, in a contest which was arguably decided in the opening ten overs of each innings. Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes blitzed through the Australian top order, leaving Steve Smith and Alex Carey to pick up the pieces of a disastrous innings. They fell for 223 runs, with England looking ahead to a comfortable chase – assuming Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow could oblige. Boy, they could.

Roy made 85 until he was given out caught behind from a phantom edge. A decision that he disputed but couldn’t review. Roy will be looking to make a statement on Sunday and find that century which was cruelly taken away from him by the finger of Kumara Dharmasena. In fact, Dharmasena will be in charge on Sunday afternoon, so added impetus will be on Roy to deliver the goods once again.

Roy is priced well at 11/4 to top score on Sunday, with the 28-year-old looking comfortable under the biggest pressure.

New Zealand upset the odds in squeezing past India over Tuesday and Wednesday’s play, but a last-gasp injection of heat nearly saw the two-times winners escape from the jaws of defeat. Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson led from the front once again, scoring 74 and 67, respectively, with Matt Henry taking three with the ball, including both of India’s openers. This Player of the Match performance by the 27-year-old will need repeating if the visitors are to rattle through England’s top order before they can get their eye in at Lords. Roy and Bairstow have made a century partnership in their last four opening stints together.

Winning the toss has proved pivotal in this World Cup, with the side who elects to bat first often finding runs. England have successfully chased twice in five attempts this summer, with losses to Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan all coming after an unsuccessful run chase. England will be sure to bat first if they win Sunday’s toss, with the Kiwi’s under pressure to find early wickets. New Zealand will be expected to follow the same strategy, with Archer and Woakes primed to keep up their aggression with the new ball.

It’s all about timing in tournaments. New Zealand started strong but fall away at the end of the group stage – a convincing 119 run loss to England set the tone for the hill they were to climb in the knockout stages. England were on the brink of elimination, however, wins against India, NZ and Australia with relative comfort have seen them canter into the final on the crest of a wave. Pressure often gets the better of English sports sides, but this group of cricketers look set to feed off the energy at the Home of Cricket on Sunday afternoon. One final hurdle should be cleared for England to finally be crowned World Cup champions.

England to win @ 31/100
Top Batsman – Jason Roy @ 11/4
Eoin Morgan over 31.5 runs @ 9/10