England's women take on the touring Australian side in the First CricInfo Series Test Match at Shenley on Sunday.

In a concentrated period of international women's cricket, the reshaped England side will play three One Day Internationals, sandwiched between two four-day Tests, before the Australians move on to Ireland.

England's young side will be looking for a good performance as they embark on their stated mission - to challenge for the 2005 World Cup, and to be ranking in the top two nations by 2007. Having enlisted Australian Coach John Harmer, who will take over at the end of the CricInfo Series, England will be looking for positive progress over the coming weeks from their youthful lineup.

The last time the two teams met, at the BIL Oval near Christchurch during the CricInfo Women's World Cup, Australia won by 54 runs. Having bowled and fielded impressively to restrict the Australians to 190-7 off their 50 overs, the England batsmen were dismissed for 137.

England will hope to repeat their impressive work in the field, their strength during the World Cup. Clare Taylor and Lucy Pearson are the Gough and Caddick of women's cricket. One of the best opening attacks in the world, they will want to make early inroads into the strong Australian batting order.

England also look strong in the spin department. Laura Harper and Dawn Holden are great prospects, and both made rapid progress during the World Cup. The longer game will be an interesting challenge for their undoubted talents.

The batting is built around Claire Taylor, England's batsman of the World Cup. Captain Clare Connor found form towards the end of the competition, and experienced Jane Cassar will shoulder a lot of responsibility. However, with Charlotte Edwards suffering from long-term injury and Barbara Daniels sidelined, England will be looking towards their young all-rounders to make a major contribution. Less experienced players like Caroline Atkins and Jackie Hawker must view this tournament as an opportunity to test their talents against the best in the world.

The Australians – the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars – will still be smarting from their defeat against New Zealand in the World Cup Final in December 2000. The strongest team in the tournament, Australia were bowled out three runs short of their target in a pulsating final. However, like their male counterparts, the Australian women are an impressive unit.

The batting has a familiar look. Evergreen captain Belinda Clark, prolific opener Lisa Keightley and pugnacious all-rounder Karen Rolton will provide a strong backbone to the order. Sally Cooper is the young prospect who will want to make an impact, and a recall for Michelle Goszko in the absence of Zoe Goss, are the two less familiar players who will be looking to cement their place in the order for years to come.

Charmaine Mason, Therese McGregor and Cathryn Fitzpatrick, perhaps the quickest of all women bowlers, are a formidable pace attack, and they will be well supported by Rolton, and all-rounders Avril Fahey and Olivia Magno.

With the Australians seeking to reaffirm their undoubted pedigree and England rebuilding with a side bursting with young all-round talent, a tantalising CricInfo Series is in prospect.

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