As Australia embraces Matildas mania in record-breaking numbers, men's Test cricket captain Pat Cummins says the Women's World Cup hopefuls can take their adulation to new levels with the sweet feeling of success over England.
The Matildas sparked the highest Australian television-viewing figures in more than two decades in last week's penalty shootout win over France that earned their place in the World Cup semi-final against the English.
The groundswell of support has also been reflected in merchandise sales, the Matildas' official apparel partner Nike claiming this year's jersey sales had outperformed those of the 2019 tournament by 13 to one.
"These unprecedented jersey sales only cement their status as national icons," said Ashley Reade, the vice president of Nike Pacific.
"They continue to inspire us all with their captivating performances and genuine love for each other, their fellow athletes and the beautiful game."
While more than 75,000 people will flock to Stadium Australia in Sydney on Wednesday, many more will head to pubs, cinemas and other stadiums around the country to share in what Cummins called a seminal time in the nation's sporting folklore.
"There's a moment, whether it's in sport or something else, that brings the whole of Australia together and that's what it's felt like with this Matildas team," Cummins said.
"I'll be absolutely pumped if they get up."
Australia has never reached a FIFA World Cup final in men's or women's football.
The opportunity to send England home en route to the showpiece game would be an extra boon for Australian fans after increasingly fraught sporting relations between the two nations during this year's men's Ashes series.
Players from the Matildas and England's Lionesses have downplayed the rivalry in a football sense.
But retiring Australian Test batter David Warner quipped on social media the Matildas "should keep an eye out in case the Poms ask to change the ball" after just such a move in the recent fifth Test at The Oval helped England salvage a win to draw the series.
Whatever the sport, Cummins said the feeling of victory over the old enemy is one of the finest an Australian athlete can enjoy.
"There's nothing more satisfying as an Aussie than getting one up on our English mates," he said.
