(Cricket news)England Women narrowly lost their ICC Women's World Cup opener against Australia Women in Hamilton despite a brave chase. Heather Knight's team eventually fell 12 runs short. After the Aussies set a record 311 to win, Tammy Beaumont (74) and Nat Sciver (109*) took England to 298-8 but with 16 needed from the last over it wasn't quite enough.

Sciver had decent support on her way to her fourth ODI century – her third in ICC Women's World Cups, brought up from just 79 balls – with Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley and Katherine Brunt adding to the foundations set by Beaumont.

In reaching 74, Beaumont passed 3,000 ODI runs – the fifth English woman to that landmark, the fourth quickest overall and England's quickest ever. Australia had earlier been inspired by fine innings from Rachael Haynes (130) and Meg Lanning (86), who put on 196 for the second wicket. England travel to Dunedin for their second World Cup fixture against West Indies, on Tuesday March 8. 

England Women's World Cup Fixtures

Saturday March 5: Australia Women 310-3 beat England Women 298-8 by 12 runs

Tuesday March 8: England Women v West Indies Women, Dunedin (11am local, 10pm UK time March 7)

Monday March 14: England Women v South Africa Women, Mount Maunganui (11am local, 10pm UK time March 13)

Wednesday March 16: England Women v India Women, Mount Maunganui (2pm local, 1am UK time)

Saturday March 19: England Women v New Zealand Women, Auckland (11am local, 10pm UK time March 18)

Thursday March 24: England Women v Pakistan Women, Christchurch (2pm local, 1am UK time)

Saturday March 26: England Women v Bangladesh Women, Wellington (11am local, 10pm UK time March 25)

Also read: Sciver's ton goes in vain as England fall short against Australia