Australia have posted their second straight win at the ICC Women’s World Cup in India, with a  their three-wicket victory over South Africa at Driems Cricket Ground today. Australian opener Rachael Haynes was named player-of-the-match for her 83-run knock.

Having been sent in to bowl first, the Australian bowling attack put pressure on South Africa’s top order from the first ball. Ellyse Perry (3-35) wasted no time with the new ball, claiming the key wickets of opener Yolandi Potgieter (0) and captain Mignon du Preez (0) in her first two overs, with the South Africans falling to 2-0 in the third over.

Australia have kicked off their ICC Women’s World Cup campaign with a 91-run win over Pakistan at Barabati Stadium today. Sarah Coyte was named player-of-the-match for her impressive all-round performance which included 36* runs and bowling figures of 3-20.

After winning the toss and electing to bat the Aussies got off to a rough start, losing the key early wickets of Meg Lanning (17) and Jess Cameron (7). Opener Rachael Haynes steadied the ship with her knock of 40 before she was run out in the 25th over. Lisa Sthalekar (32) provided some resistance through the middle of the innings and combined well with Coyte (36*), who proved to be the main-stayer at the tail end. The Australian side finished all out for 175 after 46.1 overs. Sadia Yousuf (3-30) and Asmavia Iqbal (2-37) proved the most dangerous of the Pakistani bowlers.

Mithali Raj will  enter the ICC Women's World Cup 2013 as the number-one ranked batter on the Reliance ICC Women’s Player Rankings for ODI batters. Raj, who is appearing in her fourth successive Women’s World Cup and is also the India captain, will lead her side in the opening match of the tournament on 31 January at the Cricket Club of India (Brabourne Stadium) in a Group A match against West Indies.

Other teams in Group A of the ICC Women's World Cup 2013 are 2009 champion England and Sri Lanka. Group B contains Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan. The tournament is scheduled to be held from 31 January to 17 February in Mumbai and Cuttack.

Danielle Hazell took 5-34 against New Zealand at the Bandra Kurla complex, Mumbai today in England Women’s final warm-up game ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup. Despite bowling New Zealand out for 223, England fell 13 runs short of their victory target as they were bowled out for a 210-run total which included a half-century from Lydia Greenway (51) and a useful lower-order contribution of 35 from Jenny Gunn.

Earlier, Hazell made her mark with the ball after Charlotte Edwards inserted New Zealand following a dew delayed start. Early wickets were shared amongst the England bowlers before Hazell stepped up to claim her five wicket haul.

England captain Charlotte Edwards led the way with a half-century today as her side claimed a comfortable 51-run victory over South Africa at the CCI ground in Mumbai today in their first warm-up game ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013.

The captain top scored with 78 in a total of 270-9 after England had been put into bat by South Africa – sharing a 101-run partnership with Lydia Greenway who made 35. Berkshire’s Heather Knight was the other major contributor to the England run-tally, making 42 off only 45 balls before holing out with three overs remaining. Wickets were then shared around by the England bowlers as South Africa fell 51-runs short of their victory target.

Left-arm spinner Holly Colvin claimed the prize wicket of the dangerous Chetty for 57 with Arran Brindle and Danielle Hazell also among the wicket-takers and Lydia Greenway catching the eye with an impressive diving catch at mid-wicket to dismiss Susanna Benade.

After the game Heather Knight said: “It was great to get out there, get into the swing of things and score some runs today. It was a decent wicket with a bit in it for the bowlers and played a little different to what we were expecting, but was nice to bat on.

“Charlotte batted well up front, set a really good platform for us to kick on from and we got a decent total in the end. Our bowlers bowled well, got overs under their belts and it was good to get out in the field for 50 overs and get miles in our legs; we’re all feeling really good leading into tournament.

“It’s a nice ground here at the CCI, I’m looking forward to playing our group games here, it’s well suited for women’s cricket. We’ve got a quick turnaround now for our second warm-up game against New Zealand tomorrow, then it’s into the group stages with our first game against Sri Lanka on Friday.” England will play their second and final warm-up game against New Zealand tomorrow (Tuesday January 29th) at the BKC ground, Mumbai.

England’s Charlotte Edwards has been picked for her fifth successive World Cup, while her Indian counterpart, Mithali Raj, has been selected for her fourth successive World Cup after all eight countries finalized their squads for the ICC Women’s World Cup India 2013 to be staged in Mumbai from 31 January to 17 February.

The eight squads see some interesting selections, including the return to the South Africa squad of former captain Cri-Zelda Brits, who in 2011 took an indefinite break from the international game.

The Women's National Selection Panel (WNSP) has today announced a 15-player squad for the ICC Women's World Cup India 2013, which starts next month. The tournament will take place from 31 January – 17 February, 2013 at four venues in Mumbai.

Commenting on the squad, Women's National Selection Panel (WNSP) Chair of Selectors Julie Savage said: "The WNSP have selected a powerful and well-balanced squad to contest the ICC Women's World Cup India 2013.