Six-time champions Australia will start their campaign at the ICC Women’s World Cup as favorites against defending champions England at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday. A comprehensive win in the recent Ashes series shows Australia are on course in their opening match of the tournament against defending champions England on Saturday.
Captain Meg Lanning attributed Australia’s success to the depth of the team, describing how rising stars such as Tahlia McGrath and Darcy Brown contributed to Ashes victories along with legends Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy.
“The biggest thing for us over the years is that we haven’t relied on one or two players, we have some good depth in our team,” she said.
Meanwhile, Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner will miss the first two World Cup games, including Saturday’s opener against England and the March 8 match with Pakistan after testing positive for COVID-19. Under New Zealand government health guidelines, Gardner will have to isolate for 10 days.
England on the other hand are rallying after losing their first match against India to beat India in the final. Knight believes experience is in England’s favor as they attempt to defend their title.
“Australia are going to be the favourites, but (the 2017 World Cup win) we need to give us a lot of experience to be successful in these events. Sometimes it’s just about getting ahead of the line and I think we did so well in 2017,” said captain Heather Knight.
Squad:
Australia women’s squad: Meg Lanning (c), Alyssa Healy (w), Rachel Haynes, Megan Schutt, Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney, Grace Harris, Nicola Carey, Tahlia McGrath, Amanda Wellington, Ashley Gardner, Alana King, Annabel Sutherland, Darcy Brown
England women’s team: Heather Knight (c), Amy Allen Jones (w), Anya Shrubsole, Danielle Wyatt, Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Natasha Farrant, Natalie Sciver, Lauren Winfield Hill, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Emma Lamb, Sophia Dunkley, Freya Davis, Charlotte Dean
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