Aussies target WT20 revenge in Cup opener

Australia will have something of a point to prove when they meet West Indies in their opening Women's World Cup match in Taunton on Monday.

Last April, the Windies shocked the world No.1 ranked Australians in the World T20 final, upstaging their rivals to claim their maiden title at an ICC event.

On Monday, the teams will meet for the first time since that match in Kolkata. The format is different and once again Australia head in as favourites, but they know better than anyone the Windies are a team capable of beating anyone on their day. 

Stafanie Taylor's team have had a tough time of it since arriving on English soil, losing unofficial practice matches to an England XI and India before a surprising five-wicket defeat at the hands of No.7 ranked Pakistan in their first ICC warm-up in Leicester on Tuesday.

Then, on Thursday, they were bowled out for a paltry 63 by South Africa, the same team Australia cruised to a 103-run win against earlier in the week.

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On that form, Monday's match could appear a mismatch, but Australia vice-captain Alex Blackwell says her team won't forget the dangers that lurk in the Windies XI.

"The Windies know they can beat us, they did beat us in the biggest game we've played against them in that World T20 final," Blackwell, who is appearing in her fourth World Cup, said in Leicester on Friday.

"We're got a bit of work to do to ensure we stamp our dominance out here.

"They're a very good side and if they bring their best game they can beat anyone, so it's set up to be a very good match."

Headlining the Windies line-up is captain Taylor, one of the world's most dominant players with both bat and ball. 

The powerful batting and handy off-spin of teenager Hayley Mathews and the all-round skills of Deandra Dottin are other factors the Australians will need to nullify to start their World Cup campaign on a winning note.

Blackwell, who plays alongside Taylor at the Sydney Thunder, says their friendship will be temporarily left on the sidelines when there are World Cup points on the line.

"I can't wait to play Stafanie, she's been a great teammate at the Sydney Thunder," she said. "I'd always admired her as a player but now I've got to know her as a person.

"But that doesn't mean we'll be taking it lightly. She'll want to get me out cheaply and I'll want her out cheaply.

"But it'll also be great to catch up with her after the game and throughout the tournament."

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But rather than focusing on their opponents, Australia have been busy fine-tuning their own game in the nets and in three warm-up games against New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan.

"We're a very well prepared team and we've performed well in recent series, so there's no reason why we shouldn't feel confident," Blackwell said.

"But we know it's going to be a very tough World Cup and we have to play our very best game each time and not take any game lightly.

"I think the squad is just ready to get started. It's been a long preparation phase and we've been really privileged to have that time together as a squad.

"Now we can't wait for the West Indies." 

Women's World Cup 2017 Guide

Australia World Cup squad: Sarah Aley, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell (vc), Nicole Bolton, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Meg Lanning (c), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Squads: Every World Cup squad named so far

Australia's World Cup schedule

View the full tournament schedule here

Warm-up matches

June 20: Australia v South Africa, Oakham

June 22: Australia v Pakistan, Leicester

Tournament

June 26: Australia v West Indies, Taunton

June 29: Sri Lanka v Australia, Bristol

July 2: Australia v New Zealand, Bristol

July 5: Pakistan v Australia, Leicester

July 9: England vAustralia, Bristol

July 12: Australia v India, Bristol

July 15: South Africa v Australia, Taunton

July 18: First semi-final, Bristol

July 20: Second semi-final, Derby

July 23: Final, Lord's