Beaumont warns England's rivals at Cup

Tammy Beaumont feels England have been overlooked despite going into the Women's Cricket World Cup as reigning champions, warning her side's rivals to "write us off at your peril."

England were unable to win any of their matches in the multi-format Ashes although there have been signs of promise in New Zealand ahead of the defence of their 50-over crown after beating Bangladesh and South Africa in warm-ups.

A 109-run trouncing of Bangladesh has been followed by a comfortable six-wicket victory over the Proteas in a game reduced to 35 overs per side because of rain in Lincoln, where Beaumont top-scored for England with 35.

While Australia are overwhelming favourites to triumph over the next few weeks, Beaumont, the 2017 player of the tournament after topping the run charts with 410 at an average of 45.56, believes England cannot be disregarded.

"I feel a lot of people have written us off," she said. "Last time people were trying to call us favourites. We are still the holders of the World Cup and you write us off at your peril.

"It would be a massive achievement particularly to go back-to-back. Away from home is always difficult but the conditions in New Zealand are actually quite similar so it's a nice one to try to go back-to-back on."

England start their campaign against Australia at Hamilton on Saturday, still reeling from a 12-4 points loss Down Under where Meg Lanning's side comfortably defeated the tourists in all three one-day internationals.

England lost their opening game five years ago before rebounding in style - avenging their India defeat by beating them in a roller-coaster final - so Beaumont is not placing too much emphasis on the showdown with Australia.

"We will take on Australia, on our day we can beat