Women's World Cup preview: Australia

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

Fixtures: 26 June v West Indies, 29 June v Sri Lanka, July 2 v New Zealand, July 5 v Pakistan, 9 July v England, 12 July v India, 15 July v South Africa

Best result: Champions (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013)

ICC ranking: 1st

The talking point: Two uncapped fast bowlers have been included in Australia’s squad of 15, with 33-year-old Sarah Aley and 19-year-old Belinda Vakarewa chances to make their ODI debuts in England. They have been included at the expense of left-armer Lauren Cheatle, sidelined with a shoulder injury, while Rene Farrell retired shortly before the World Cup training squad was announced. The two are at polar opposite ends of their careers, but should both make for riveting viewing if given opportunities during this tournament. 

The star(s): It’s obvious, but you can’t go past Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry. Lanning is the world’s top-ranked ODI batter, while Perry is averaging more than 90 in ODIs since moving into Australia’s top four back in 2013. Stopping these two with the bat will be the No.1 priority for other teams. Perry’s bowling has almost taken a backseat to her batting in recent times, but since arriving in the UK the allrounder has looked fast and fired up and with no Holly Ferling in England, she’s also regularly pulling out her bouncer. 

The one to watch: Nicole Bolton was born to play 50-over cricket and the Western Australian will be in her element in her first World Cup. She’s batting well at the top of the order since arriving in England and has formed a formidable partnership with fellow opener Beth Mooney. Another to keep an eye on is 20-year-old leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington. One of the most exciting young players in the Australian squad, the South Australian is a serious wicket-taking threat capable of turning the ball a long way. An injury to her right forefinger, suffered at training, kept her out of Australia’s warm-up matches and the selectors will be very eager to see her fit and ready for the tournament proper.

The verdict: If the Australian batters live up to the promise they’ve shown since arriving in England, they’ll be an incredibly tough unit to beat. Led by Mooney and Bolton, followed by Lanning, Perry and a middle order consisting of Elyse Villani, Alyssa Healy and Alex Blackwell, there could be some huge totals on the way. It is the stronger of their two suits, with some questions remaining about their pace bowling in particular, but their world-class spin attack has been hugely effective over the last couple of years and can be expected to play a big role even in English conditions. Australia are rightly the favourites to claim a seventh World Cup crown, with their stiffest competition likely to come from England.

Australia's World Cup schedule

June 26: Australia v West Indies, Taunton

June 29: Australia v Sri Lanka, Bristol

July 2: Australia v New Zealand, Bristol

July 5: Australia v Pakistan, Leicester

July 9: Australia v England, Bristol

July 12: Australia v India, Bristol

July 15: Australia v South Africa, Taunton

July 18: First semi-final, Bristol

July 20: Second semi-final, Derby

July 23: Final, Lord's

Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes schedule

October 22: First ODI, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

October 26: Second ODI, Coffs Intl Stadium, Coffs Harbour 

October 29: Third ODI, Coffs Intl Stadium, Coffs Harbour 

November 9-12: Day-night Test, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

November 17: First T20I: North Sydney Oval, Sydney

November 19: First T20I: Manuka Oval, Canberra

November 21: First T20I: Manuka Oval, Canberra