Meg Lanning says the Australian women's cricket team is out to do Rod Marsh and Shane Warne proud in their World Cup opener against England in Hamilton.
Australian cricket has been rocked by the loss of the two legends in two days, with Warne dying overnight in Thailand at age 52.
The Ashes rivals will hold a minute's silence prior to the start of the match, at 12noon AEDT (2pm NZDT) in tribute to the fallen Australian legends.
Lanning's side will also wear black armbands.
"Losing Rod and Shane over the past couple of days has been very sad ... they were two icons of the game who have made massive impacts," Lanning said.
"Their mark has been left. A very sad time and hopefully we can do them proud today."
England captain Heather Knight won the toss and sent Australia in to bat at Seddon Park.
Lanning said she was unsure whether to bat or field.
"We've been 50-50 with chasing and setting. Batting first holds no fear for us," she said.
Australia are returning to World Cup action for the first time since their inglorious semi-final exit to India in 2017.
The world No.1s have barely put a foot wrong since that moment, setting a world record 26-match unbeaten ODI streak and ruthlessly retaining the Ashes without loss this summer.
The Australians will be without Ash Gardner who failed a COVID-19 test on Thursday.
The reigning Belinda Clark Medallist will be sidelined for 10 days, in line with New Zealand government COVID-19 rules, and will miss the opening two matches.
Australia will line up as expected, with Annabel Sutherland slotting into Gardner's allrounder role.
Victorian legspinner Alana King, who was uncapped in any format prior to the Ashes series, has been given the nod, as has teenage speedster Darcie Brown.
"We've left out (Amanda-Jade) Wellington, (Nicola) Carey and (Grace) Harris ... unfortunate to be missing Ash Gardner here but we feel like we've got good coverage," Lanning said.
Australia: Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.
England: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver, Amy Jones, Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Anya Shrubsole.
