By Tyler Lewis

Copyright news

The Aussies kick off their 50-over World Cup campaign in India and Sri Lanka on Wednesday night against cross-Tasman rivals New Zealand.

But it’s India on October 12 that Schutt has her scope on, declaring the hosts – under captain Harmanpreet Kaur – a side the Aussies love to beat.

“The wickets are a little bit different over there and, as you would, cater to home ground advantage,” Schutt told the Willow Talk podcast.

“It can get spicy and Harman has a habit of bringing in a bit of aggression and a few things us as Australians don’t like in terms of characteristics.

“We’re two very competitive sides and I think when Indian cricket can somewhat control the whole environment, you have a level of wanting to grudge that a little bit.

“It’s definitely become a hot rivalry, that’s for sure, and (they’ve) become a very competitive side at the same time.

“That’s what brings out our best cricket; knowing they want to flog us and we want to flog them, and a 50-over World Cup in India – no better place to try and flog them.”

Aussie young gun Phoebe Litchfield spoke on the same podcast about her role in the side this World Cup.

Litchfield says there will be a balance as she makes the most of the batter-friendly power play while also protecting her teammates from starting against spin.

“I feel like the power play is actually when you can really bank your runs because most of the damage happens in the middle order when the spinners come on,” she said.

“I think for me, wherever I bat, at the top of the order it’s about making the most of the power play and if they give you balls to put away, you put them away, and kind of get on top of it to then go big throughout the middle.

“We have a role to get ourselves in and really go big because it’s hard to start in India sometimes.”