Australia's World Cup depth could be key

In the most open Women's Cricket World Cup to date, Australia believe their strength in depth can make a decisive difference.

Australia's quest to win back the cup begins on Saturday when they face England in Hamilton.

In the meantime, the squad is based in Christchurch for a pair of warm-up fixtures as they adjust to playing conditions across the Tasman.

So far, the scratch matches have shown the tournament favourites in world No.1 Australia, reigning champions England, in-form South Africa and hosts New Zealand might not have it all their own way.

On Sunday, Ellyse Perry fired Australia to a 90-run defeat of West Indies, though Jamaican captain Stafanie Taylor showed stubborn resistance.

Taylor took the match's best figures with bat and ball, claiming three wickets and making 67 to give the Windies a shot.

Across the road, New Zealand -- who rested star batter Amelia Kerr -- lost to Pakistan, the lowest-ranked team at the World Cup.

Taylor's star turn for the West Indies and the upset by the eighth-ranked Pakistan suggested the 2022 World Cup could be an unpredictable affair.

"All the teams that are here are are world class, they're here for a reason," Australia allrounder Nicola Carey said.

"You have to qualify to get into this tournament and if you're here, you're here thinking that you can win the tournament.

"If you can get a couple of wins in the practice games and get a bit of momentum heading into the proper tournament, I'm sure that'll do the confidence a world of good."

Annabel Sutherland, who scored a quick-fire 54 not out from 37 against the West Indies, said Australia would rely on the ability of all 15 squad members to produce when it counted.

"Different people are putting their hand up every game," she