Australia eyeing improvement despite emphatic warm-up win

Australia kicked off their World Cup campaign with an emphatic warm-up win on Sunday, but in an ominous sign for their rivals allrounder Annabel Sutherland believes there is room to improve.

The Christchurch warm-up game – 'warm' in name only, with the game staged in wintry conditions that had several West Indies players donning woollen hats in the field – saw Australia post 7-259 from their 50 overs, with Ellyse Perry top-scoring with 66.

But it was the host of starts from the rest of the top- and middle-order that Australia will look to improve on when they meet hosts New Zealand in a second practice game on Tuesday.

Rachael Haynes (36), Alyssa Healy (20), Beth Mooney (22) and Tahlia McGrath (40) all laid foundations before being dismissed.

"A lot of players got set and weren't quite able to keep going on and make a big score," Sutherland, who capitalised on the rare chance to bat at No.8 with an aggressive cameo that featured eight boundaries, said.

"That's one thing that we've talked about as a batting group.

"I think everyone will be super hungry in that next game and just wanting some time out there."

However, Sutherland pointed to the depth in the Australian group, demonstrated with both bat and ball on Sunday, as a reason for confidence going into the tournament.

"I think that's one thing we've spoken about over the last few tours, that different people are putting their hand up every game and we've got full faith in the whole batting line-up and every bowler as well that they can play a role on the day," she said.

"It's a cool place to be in as a group."

Sutherland followed her fireworks with the bat by taking two wickets to help restrict West Indies to 9-169, and her recent form will give selectors pause for thought ahead of the World Cup opener against England on March 5.

The Victorian was left out of Australia's XI for the first Ashes ODI, before being recalled for the final two one-dayers when Beth Mooney and Darcie Brown were both rested.

The right-armer claimed four wickets in the series finale in Melbourne – backing up her strong bowling display in the one-off Test – and Sunday's fireworks with the bat only enhance her chances of keeping her spot.

"It was good fun, it was good to just have some time out in the middle," she said.

"It's been a while since I felt like I'd had some time out there, so it was good to just be out there and make the most of the conditions.

"I think that's probably my role at the moment, I'm at seven or eight when I'm in the team and often coming in at the back end in the later overs so I feel like I can back my power (to play aggressively) when I'm required to."

Australia will meet a New Zealand side coming off a 4-1 ODI series win over India at Bert Sutcliffe Oval on Tuesday.

The White Ferns had a shock warm-up defeat to Pakistan on Sunday, but their below par innings of 229 all out came after in-form No.3 Amelia Kerr was rested, providing greater opportunity to the middle-order, and they would be expected to field a full-strength line-up against Australia.

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: v England, Seddon Park, Hamilton, 12pm AEDT

Mar 8: v Pakistan, Bay Oval, Tauranga, 12pm AEDT

Mar 13: v New Zealand, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 15: v West Indies, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

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