Moving on from 2017 heartbreak, a versatile Australian squad targets cricket World Cup glory

The last 50-over women's World Cup was almost five years ago but feels like yesterday for the Australians who played in it.

«That 2017 World Cup was a heartbreak for everyone,» former Australian leg-spinner Kristen Beams said.

«I think the players learnt a lot from that tournament and there's no doubt that they feel like they've got a point to prove leading into this World Cup.»

Head coach Matthew Mott was at the helm in 2017 and wants his team to focus on what's in front of it during the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand.

«We've got to stop referring back to 2017, I think there's a lot of good that has come of that, we've reflected a bit as a group and there's a whole host of players that weren't even around then,» Mott said on Fox Cricket's podcast The Follow-On.

«It set us on a strong course, we've been really consistent since that tournament but this is just another opportunity for the team to take it to another level.

»I've got no doubt that it's been a burning desire since 2017 for this team to really improve and put itself up there a little more often.

«We know the heartbreak of not putting every single bit of effort into everything that you do and the consequences of that.

»We've used it a lot but I don't think we need to use it for this tournament."

Now a regular member of ABC Sport's cricket commentary team, Beams was Australia's leading wicket taker at the 2017 World Cup, with 12 scalps.

She said that feat did not make up for the bitter disappointment of being knocked out by India in the semi-finals.

«It doesn't really matter how you perform individually, that was a really tough tournament for so many reasons,» Beams said.

«To miss out on a final at Lord's and to see the crowd.

»For me personally, I knew I was only going to