Australians look beyond the World Cup pain of 2017

Meg Lanning insists the mental scars of Australia's 2017 World Cup semi-final defeat are far behind them as their campaign to win the 2022 event in New Zealand stepped up a notch today.

Australia held their first official training session, a fortnight after their arrival in Christchurch, having spent their first week in quarantine before taking a seven-day 'rest and recharge' period.

Lanning's players are desperate to claim back the only piece of silverware missing from their bulging trophy cabinet – and they are equally keen to move on from discussing their 2017 defeat to India.

That loss, regularly described as Australia’s 'crucible moment', transformed their playing style and approach to selection in the immediate aftermath of the event.

But Lanning says her side has moved well beyond that game. Of the 17 players in New Zealand, only nine were part of the 2017 event.

"This group that we've got here is very different to 2017," Lanning told reporters in Christchurch on Friday.

"The impacts of the 2017 World Cup have obviously changed the way we play but this World Cup is completely different.

First training session in New Zealand ✅

We'll play warm-up matches against the West Indies and New Zealand over the next few days before our @cricketworldcup campaign gets underway on March 5 against England 👀#CWC22 #CmonAussie pic.twitter.com/IPZLtWloUS

"It's a new World Cup, everybody starts on zero points and needs to play well throughout the tournament.

"It's a great challenge for our group but, to be honest, we don't really talk about 2017 anymore.

"It obviously had a big impact on us but now it's a completely different group, and we're on a new journey together."

Australia went into the last 50-over event as favourites and if anything, their position as frontrunners is only stronger this time around; they sit 40 points clear of second-ranked South Africa on top of the ICC's one-day rankings and have lost just two of 30 ODIs since that last event in the United Kingdom.

However, Lanning was quick to deflect attention towards defending champions England – despite Heather Knight's team recently finishing winless in the multi-format Ashes.

"England are the reigning champions," Lanning said.  "They hold the cup, so we're all chasing them.

"World Cups and tournament play are very different to bilateral series.

"Every team starts on zero wins, it's an even footing … what has happened in the previous couple of years is irrelevant.

"We feel like we're very confident coming into this World Cup with our game style and how we want to play but that doesn't mean anything when we start.

"We're looking forward to the opportunity to come up against them in that first game and try and build some momentum."

The World Cup begins next Friday when hosts New Zealand face West Indies in Mount Maunganui, and Australia meet England in Hamilton a day later.

Lanning said the seven-day break had been essential for her side following an Ashes series that was packed into just 20 days and was confident the coming week – which features warm-up games against West Indies and New Zealand – would provide adequate preparation.

The squad were handed three bonus rest days when their hotel quarantine period was shortened to seven days.

"Everybody did it differently ... I generally like to be out and about, walking and looking at different things. I did play a few rounds of golf," she said of her week off.

"There's some amazing scenery here in New Zealand so we're very lucky to be able to see that.

"In the long run, heading into the tournament where it's really busy, having a few days to relax and take your mind off cricket will be very important."

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: v England, Seddon Park, Hamilton, 12pm AEDT

Mar 8: v Pakistan, Bay Oval, Tauranga, 12pm AEDT

Mar 13: v New Zealand, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 15: v West Indies, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 19: v India, Eden Park, Auckland, 12pm AEDT

Mar 22: v South Africa, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 31: Hagley Park Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEDT

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports