England to begin defence of World Cup under the lights against Australia

Tournament will be held in 2022 after being postponed due to the pandemic

England celebrate winning the World Cup in 2017 (Getty Images)

England will begin the defence of their Women's Cricket World Cup in a day/night match against Australia in Hamilton.

The tournament, due to be held in 2021, was delayed by a year owing to the pandemic with host nation New Zealand, Australia, England, South Africa and India, along with three qualifiers, now competing between 4 March and 3 April 2022.

The eight sides will participate in a round-robin league, with the top four going on to the knockout stages ahead of a final in Christchurch.

England took the title on home soil in 2017 with a nine-run win over India at Lord's.

It will be the first global women's cricket event since the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in March.

PA