ICC Women's World Cup 2017: Windies take on the mighty Oz

Four years on from its ICC Women’s World Cup success in Mumbai, Australia meets the team it beat in the final, West Indies, as its begins the defence of its title in Taunton. And these two high-quality teams know each other well, having also met in the ICC World T20 Final in Kolkata just last year with the West Indies coming out on top. With recent successes fresh in their memory, both sides have hopes of lifting silverware at the Home of Cricket on July 23, making this a key match to stamp their authority on the tournament. The 2013 champion, Australia, enters the tournament in good form with two comfortable wins over South Africa and Pakistan in the warm-up matches. Captain Meg Lanning knows what it takes to win the World Cup but is aware her side will have to be much-improved if it is to retain it this year. In contrast to Australia, West Indies lost both its tournament warm-up games, being bowled out for just 63 by South Africa and then failing to defend 246 against Pakistan. West Indies though is extremely familiar with many of the Australians due to their recent meeting and has had a number of its players, including Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews, competing in the Women’s Big Bash this winter. And Captain Stafanie Taylor is determined to treat the opening game of the tournament the same as any other, despite the ongoing rivalry and familiarity between the two sides.