Australia will be out for 'revenge' in Women's Ashes, warns Beaumont

Tammy Beaumont says that England's women now have a "massive target on their backs", as the squad prepares to set off for Australia to contest this winter's Ashes, having risen to No. 1 in the ODI world rankings on the back of their thrilling World Cup victory in July.

Beaumont was one of the stars of England's World Cup campaign, scoring 410 runs at 45.55 at the top of the order, including a century against South Africa at Bristol and a vital 49 at the same venue four days later, as England edged out Australia in a gripping three-run win.

A run of eight consecutive wins in the World Cup, including another heart-stopper in the final against India (who had beaten them at Derby in the tournament opener), helped to propel England to the top of the latest ODI rankings.

And with the squad setting off for Australia on Friday, ahead of the first match of the 50-over leg of their multi-format series on October 22, Beaumont knows that that new-found status will be an extra incentive for their oldest rivals, whom captain Heather Knight last week insisted were still the best team in the world.

"We're only No. 1 in the world in ODIs, we've got a way to go in T20s," Beaumont said. "And beating Australia in Australia, it doesn't come any harder than that.

"They are going to want revenge against us," she added. "They have a number of match-winners in their team so we can't hide away from the fact that we've just come off winning a World Cup and there's a massive target on our back now, but it's not going to be easy by any stretch."

One major boost for England will be the absence of Australia's captain, Meg Lanning, who has had to withdraw from the series after shoulder surgery.

"Meg is an exceptional player, she leads from the front with her batting, and her captaincy, but there's a number of players in that batting line-up, they have got the batting depth and they don't necessarily need Meg," Beaumont said.

"She missed a number of games in the World Cup and they still got over the line. It's a shame that fans can't come and watch the best batter in the world but there's still enough firepower in that batting order."

Speaking at the PCA Awards in London, Beaumont reflected on a groundbreaking summer for women's cricket, one that was lit up by the thrilling World Cup final at Lord's, where England battled back from the brink of defeat to secure a nine-run win, courtesy of Anya Shrubsole's 6 for 46.

"I always knew we were going to win!" she joked. "That's the great thing about our team, we always have complete backing in absolutely everyone who grabs the ball or goes to the wicket with the bat. I think a lot of people doubted us when we needed seven wickets for 40 runs but, I might be mad for saying so, but I always thought there was another twist in the game, and luckily it came.

"Everyone was exceptional for the whole World Cup and that's why we won. Everyone in the whole squad contributed in some way or another."

"It's been amazing," Beaumont added of her new-found acclaim since the final. "I get asked to do commentary and things that weren't on my radar… and sometimes I even get recognised on the tube which is pretty crazy.

"I'm sure the other girls have similar stories. It's great to be part of women's cricket, women's sport in general is massively on the up at the moment. It is proper news these days, and hopefully we can keep engaging with people and make our sport something really special."