Women's Cricket World Cup team guide

A LOOK AT THE EIGHT WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SIDES:-

Australia wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy provides her thoughts on the eight sides competing for the World Cup in New Zealand over the next month.

AUSTRALIA

Captain: Meg Lanning

Best World Cup result: Six-time winners (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013)

World ranking: 1

Australia must be considered favourites, entering the tournament with wins in 29 of their last 30 ODIs. They must fire from the get-go, facing holders England first-up.

Healy: "We take a lot of confidence into this World Cup, but a World Cup is a different ball game. You've got to play consistently for three or four weeks. You've got to beat everyone to lift the trophy. We know we need to turn up and play good cricket to do it."

SOUTH AFRICA

Captain: Sune Luus

Best World Cup result: Semi-finalist (2005, 2017)

World ranking: 2

The loss of captain Dane van Niekerk with a broken ankle hurts the in-form Proteas but with opening matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan, South Africa can play their way into the tournament.

Healy: "Dane is a huge loss, but to their credit they've been playing some really good cricket. Their bowling attack is going to be a real challenge for a lot of the top orders. They're a real threat."

ENGLAND

Captain: Heather Knight

Best World Cup result: Four-time winners (1973, 1993, 2009, 2017)

World ranking: 3

Holders England have added depth since their 2017 triumph but were thoroughly thrashed in the Ashes and face Australia first-up in a test of their mettle.

Healy: "They're a really consistent cricket team. Playing them is like death by 1000 cuts. They're not going to blow you off the park ... they're going to sneak in and take you down from behind. We know really well what we're going to come