Brown returns, Indian star recalled in Auckland

The 2022 ODI Women's World Cup is being broadcast in Australia on Fox Sports and live streamed on Kayo Freebies

Teenage tearaway Darcie Brown has been recalled as Australia elected to bowl first in their blockbuster World Cup showdown against India at Auckland's Eden Park.

Brown is the sole change to the XI that defeated West Indies by seven wickets on Tuesday, replacing Annabel Sutherland.

Australia captain Meg Lanning opted to chase with rain forecast for the late afternoon and evening, while India skipper Mithali Raj said she would have done the same.

India have recalled aggressive opener Shafali Verma, who joins Smriti Mandhana at the top of the order, with Yastika Bhatia moving down to No.3 and Deepti Sharma omitted, as they look to bounce back from Wednesday's defeat to England in Mount Maunganui.

Australia are unbeaten after four games in this tournament and will be the first team to cement their semi-final berth with a win over India (even a washout would suffice, if the forecast wet weather intervenes).

"There's a great aura about this ground and I think playing great teams in great venues is what this team is all about," coach Matthew Mott said on Friday.

"We will certainly be trying to encourage everyone to be aggressive at the start, we want to take early wickets, which we've done pretty well throughout the tournament.

"But if they do get on top, there's some Plan B's and C's that we've got up our sleeve ... every bowler in our squad is very different."

It is a different story for India, who are coming off a disappointing loss to England have two wins from four matches to date.

Their results make for interesting reading, with a 107-run victory over Pakistan followed by a chastening 62-run loss to New Zealand.

They bounced back with a 155-run win over West Indies, but were kept to 134 against England just days later.

A defeat to Australia would leave Raj's side in a perilous position battling England, New Zealand and West Indies for spots in the top four.

"The girls are really motivated," Mandhana said on Friday.

"They really want to out there and win the match - I don't think there's much have to do (to motivate them) ... we know the situation we are in at the points table and how important the game is."

Australia XI: Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Jessica Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

India XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Beat England by 12 runs

Mar 8: Beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Mar 13: Beat New Zealand by 141 runs

Mar 15: Beat West Indies by seven wickets

Mar 19: v India, Eden Park, Auckland, 12pm AEDT

Mar 22: v South Africa, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 31: Hagley Park Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEDT

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports