England defeated India by nine runs in the 2017 final at Lord's to win the competition for the fourth time, having previously triumphed in 1973, 1993 and 2009.

However, Australia are favourites for victory in this year's tournament having won 29 of their previous 30 one-day internationals, including all three against England during the recent Women's Ashes series.

• England beat South Africa in World Cup warm-up
• Live cricket on Sky Sports

England opener Beaumont, Player of the Tournament in 2017, said: "I feel a lot of people have written us off.

"Last time people were trying to call us favourites. We are still the holders of the World Cup and you write us off at your peril.

"It would be a massive achievement to go back-to-back. Away from home is always difficult but the conditions in New Zealand are actually quite similar so it's a nice one to try to go back-to-back on.

"Winning a World Cup at any time is a massive achievement but particularly when we have gone through Covid and all the bubbles, restrictions, all that. To come out here and hopefully perform would be good testament to the team."

'We can beat Australia'

England - who have recorded convincing victories over Bangladesh and South Africa in their two World Cup warm-ups - begin their title defence against Australia in Hamilton on Saturday.

England lost 12-4 on points to Meg Lanning's side as they failed to regain the Ashes, with the tourists going winless across the seven matches.

Beaumont added: "We will take on Australia, on our day we can beat them. We are in a good place for that game, regardless of the Ashes results.

"I don't think one game will ruin your World Cup hopes. It's a good time to get back out there and give it a good crack.

"Everyone has got to take accountability [with the bat]. I didn't have the best series with the bat in the Ashes but everyone has to step up

"We have had some chats not just about what we want to do but how we are going to do it. We want to play aggressive cricket, taking the game on."

'England have experience, Australia have no real weakness'

Sky Sports expert and former Australia player Mel Jones says England have areas of concern ahead of the World Cup but believes their raft of senior players will make them a tough side to beat during the competition.

Jones said: "Their dot-ball percentage and boundary percentage have both worsened so they are not finding those combinations that they would really like to see gel.

"But when you look at them they have experienced players. Nat Sciver was absolutely brilliant over the summer, Heather Knight is coming into her own and Katherine Brunt will be playing for the next 20 years by the looks of things!"

Australia lost a warm-up to hosts New Zealand on Tuesday as the White Ferns reached their target of 322 with nearly seven overs to spare for the loss of just one wicket, but Jones makes her compatriots strong favourites.

She added: "Australia's depth [is so strong]. There is no Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux or Tayla Vlaeminck through injury but players keep coming in.

"If anything, you might look at the bowling in the warm-up games but you are using nine bowlers and getting people through, so there is not a lot of weakness."

Watch every game from the Women's Cricket World Cup live on Sky Sports. Coverage of the tournament opener - hosts New Zealand vs West Indies - gets under way on Friday at 12.30am. England vs Australia is live from 12.30am on Saturday.