Australia give improved England plenty to ponder one year out from Ashes

But all is not rosy and the pain of defeat was evident when Edwards spoke post-match.

After a run of five single-figure scores in seven matches at this World Cup, the time has come for England to find a successor to wicketkeeper Amy Jones.

The 33-year-old's glovework has rarely been in doubt but she has two centuries in 260 matches and was unable to deliver in a free role at the top of the order here.

Pressure on her place would have come sooner but for a scarcity of options, with Surrey's Kira Chathli, 26, or Lancashire's Ellie Threlkeld, 27, the next in line without building a compelling case.

The bold move would be to invest in Capsey, who was England's back-up keeper here and is highly regarded for her skills but has not kept regularly since Under-17 cricket.

That would allow the immensely talented Davina Perrin to come in as opener alongside Danni Wyatt-Hodge - this tournament's leading run-scorer aged 35.

Eighteen-year-old Tilly Corteen-Coleman, part of this squad but not picked, should now also be given a run.

By reaching this final England repositioned themselves as the second best team in the world behind Australia. That was once a given but was no longer the case after three underwhelming World Cups since their previous final in 2022.

Rather ominously, in her news conference, Australia captain Sophie Molineux said her side has not "reached any ceiling".

Praised for being a "people person" by all-rounder Ellyse Perry and, shown by her lycra-wearing aerobics instructor alter-ego, external, more relaxed than her predecessors Meg Lanning or Alyssa Healy, it may be that Molineux is the perfect captain for this experienced group in green and gold.

If so, that would add even more difficulty to the challenge awaiting Edwards.

She believes her side has won back the support of the English public after the fierce fallout from the Ashes defeat.

She has also dragged England back into the conversation at these world events.

England's coach has many of the components needed but her third challenge, catching and overhauling Australia by next summer, is the most difficult of all.