Australia in focus

The number one ranked team in the world holds a record six Women’s World Cups and Meg Lanning’s Southern Stars will be aiming to maintain their status at the top.

With the best winning percentage at the Women’s World Cup (87%), Australia will start their campaign on June 26 when they take on the West Indies in Taunton.

The reigning champions have been training in Brisbane ahead of the tournament, before jumping into practice matches starting next week.

Australia’s 15-player squad includes two uncapped players - Belinda Vakarewa and Sarah Aley.

Australia’s Squad: Sarah Aley, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell (vc), Nicole Bolton, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Meg Lanning (capt), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Let’s look at how Australia has fared at previous tournaments…

Overall1973-2013Played 76, Won 64, Lost 9, Tied 1, No result 2**Leading run-scorer:Belinda Clark - 1151
Highest score: Belinda Clark - 229*Highest wicket-taker:**Lyn Fullston - 39
Best Bowling: Tina Macpherson - 5-14 **Most appearances:Belinda Clark - 29Most appearances as captain:**Belinda Clark - 23
Tournaments by the numbers…

2013Played 7, Won 6, Lost 1Winner: AustraliaHost:IndiaAustralia’s leading run-scorer:Rachael Haynes - 273Australia’s highest wicket-taker: Megan Schutt - 15

2009Played 7, Won 4, Lost 3Winner: EnglandHost:AustraliaAustralia’s leading run-scorer:Shelley Nitschke - 275Australia’s highest wicket-taker: Lisa Sthalekar - 13

2005Played 8, Won 7, No Result 1Winner: AustraliaHost:South AfricaAustralia’s leading run-scorer:Karen Rolton - 246Australia’s highest wicket-taker: Shelley Nitschke - 11

2000Played 9, Won 8, Lost 1Winner: New ZealandHost:New ZealandAustralia’s leading run-scorer:Karen Rolton - 393Australia’s highest wicket-taker: Charmaine Mason - 171997Played 7, Won 7Winner: AustraliaHost:IndiaAustralia’s leading run-scorer:Belinda Clark - 445Australia’s highest wicket-taker: Cathryn Fitzpatrick - 12

1993Played 7, Won 5, Lost 2Winner: EnglandHost:EnglandAustralia’s leading run-scorer:Belinda Clark - 199Australia’s highest wicket-taker: Sharyn Bow - 11

1988Played 9, Won 8, Lost 1Winner: AustraliaHost:AustraliaAustralia’s leading run-scorer:Lindsay Reeler - 448Australia’s highest wicket-taker: Lyn Fullston - 16

1982Played 13, Won 12, Tied 1Winner: AustraliaHost:New ZealandAustralia’s leading run-scorer:Jill Kennare - 351Australia’s highest wicket-taker: Lyn Fullston - 23

1978Played 3, Won 3Winner: Australia**Host:IndiaAustralia’s leading run-scorer:Margaret Jennings - 127Australia’s highest wicket-taker:**Sharyn Hill - 7

1973Played 6, Won 4, Lost 1, No result 1Winner: England**Host:EnglandAustralia’s leading run-scorer:Jackie Potter - 167Australia’s highest wicket-taker:**Tina Macpherson - 9