COVID clouds linger over Women's World Cup

Duelling captains agree the ICC Women's World Cup might just be the most open in the tournament's history - that's if COVID-19 doesn't get in the way.

The 50-over showpiece gets underway on Friday night in Tauranga when hosts New Zealand take on the West Indies.

World No.1 and favourites Australia kick off their campaign the following day in Hamilton against holders England, with sub-continental rivals India and Pakistan also squaring off in a blockbuster opening weekend.

The Women's World Cup has been dominated by Australia and England, winners of 10 of the 11 tournaments.

The sole exception came the last time New Zealand had hosting rights, in 2000, when the White Ferns were victorious.

There's a growing expectation nations like India and South Africa will make life tough for the bigger nations in Aotearoa.

The Proteas have surged in the rankings to world No.2 and are out to reach their first World Cup final.

"On the day, when a team shines, they can beat any team around the world," SA captain Sune Luus said.

England skipper Heather Knight said the gap to the best teams was shrinking but Australia remained the team to beat.

"Australia have been the outstanding team (since 2017) and naturally, deservedly they go in as favourites," she said.

Australia skipper Meg Lanning wasn't buying into the favouritism, even suggesting vanquished Ashes rivals England as holders were the ones that deserved the tag.

"Everybody starts on zero points and needs to play well throughout the tournament," she said.

The eight teams - including first-timers Bangladesh - will play a round-robin leaving four semi-finalists, with the world champs decided at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on April 3.

Like every sporting event of the past two years, the