Women's World Cup preview: England

The squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Beth Langston, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Nat Sciver, Sarah Taylor, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt.

The fixtures: 24 June v India, 27 June v Pakistan, 2 July v Sri Lanka, 5 July v South Africa, 9 July v Australia, 12 July v New Zealand, 15 July v West Indies

Best result: Champions

ICC ranking: 2nd

The talking point: England have included Heather Knight and Sarah Taylor in their 15-player squad, with the veteran pair to be available for their tournament opener against India on June 24. Captain Knight has been recovering from a metatarsal stress fracture to her left foot, while wicketkeeper Taylor took some time out of the game to tackle anxiety. Five players – Alex Hartley, Beth Langston, Natalie Sciver, Fran Wilson and Lauren Winfield – are taking part in their first 50-over World Cup.

The star(s): Brunt and Shrubsole. Katherine and Anya. It’s hard to mention one without the other and England’s famed pace par will be crucial to their chances in this tournament. They’re the best new-ball pair going around and have been for years. Bowling in their home conditions means they’ll have an added advantage, while Brunt’s powerful lower-order batting adds an extra element to her game.

The one to watch: Sarah Taylor comes back into the England fold after 12 months away from the game working through anxiety. Her return is great news for the game, if not opposition bowling attacks, and it will be very interesting to see the impact the ‘keeper can have. She’s England’s third-highest ODI run-scorer of all time at age 27, so her timely return could be the element the hosts need to claim their fourth World Cup title. England’s opening match against India will be her first official international outing since March last year, but her form in the lead-up to the tournament has been promising.

The verdict: England have undergone a transformation since being knocked out of the World T20 semi-finals last year. They have a new skipper in Heather Knight and present a well-drilled, fitter, more aggressive unit more than capable of taking out the tournament. They have the home advantage and their strong results from the last 12 months means expectations are very high. Anything but a place in the final will be a serious disappointment for Knight’s team.

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