Rainford-Brent looks forward to Australian challenge

Ebony Rainford-Brent, the England allrounder, hopes the team can replicate last season's form when they meet Australia, the defending champions, in the Women's World Cup during March 2009.

The two teams are not in the same group, but are favourites to go through to the Super Six stage where they would go head-to-head. The top two teams from the Super Sixes make it to the final.

"This is absolutely amazing. It is an incredible opportunity for both me and the rest of the squad, Rainford-Brent told the ECB website. "Going to Australia twice within 12 months is pretty cool, but to get to play cricket on both occasions is fantastic.

On their tour of Australia in 2007-08, England drew the ODI series 2-2 and won the one-off Test to retain the Ashes. Led by Charlotte Edwards, the ICC Women's Player of the Year 2008, England head into the tournament - to be held at six venues across New South Wales - unbeaten in 16 ODIs, with 12 wins and four abandoned games.

While England gained experience of Australian conditions during their tour last year, it was even more so for Rainford-Brent, who played club cricket for Port Adelaide as well. "Out of the other group, Australia and New Zealand are always the ones to beat," she said. "Although we've beaten them recently, they'll be in the heart of their season and we won't be, so we'll need to be on our game if we make it to the Super Sixes. It'll be like a Russian team making the final stages of the [UEFA] Champions League!

"I've never played against Sri Lanka or Pakistan before so it's always a nice challenge to play a new team," she added. "We've just played India [they won 4-0 in the ODI series] and although they can always be dangerous on their day, we are confident we can repeat the result we achieved this season."

England have made just one change to the squad that was successful during the home summer, with untried wicketkeeper Lauren Griffiths named as a back-up to Sarah Taylor.

They are in Group B alongside India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and begin their campaign against Sri Lanka on February 7.