Christchurch: It is a new Australian team that is not carrying the baggage of 2017, said skipper Meg Lanning as her side embarks on a new journey at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup that begins on March 4. “It is a new World Cup, everybody starts on zero points,” said Lanning at a press conference here as the 2017 event was brought up. Australia had cruised through to the final in England but their title hopes were blown away by Harmanpreet Kaur’s brilliant 171 not out and an upbeat Indian team. “This group that we’ve got here is very different to 2017,” Lanning said, adding, “I think the majority of the players were not even involved in the tournament, and the majority of the staff also weren’t there”. “The impacts of the 2017 World Cup have obviously changed the way we play but, from now really moving forward, this World Cup is completely different. “Everybody needs to play well throughout the tournament. It’s a great challenge for our group but, to be honest, we don’t really talk about 2017 anymore. It obviously had a big impact on us but now it’s a completely different group, and we’re on a new journey together. Eight teams will play each other in the showpiece event once in the early stages and the top four will move on to the semi-finals. Australia will begin their campaign on March 5 against the defending champions England. UNI BAV ING
