Women’s T20 World Cup kicks off today

Defending champions Australia suffered a blow on the eve of the Women's Twenty20 World Cup Thursday with young pace spearhead Tayla Vlaeminck ruled out of the tournament with a foot injury.

The fast bowler, 21, reported pain in her foot this week and scans revealed a stress fracture just a day ahead of Australia facing India in the opening game of the 10-team event.

Head coach Matthew Mott said the squad was disappointed to lose one of the quickest bowlers in the game, as the hosts bid to win a fifth World Cup title.

Off-spinner Molly Strano was drafted in as her replacement.

Skipper Meg Lanning admitted the team was "pretty devastated" to lose Vlaeminck and they may have to rethink their approach.

"There's no one quite the same as Tay so we will have to slightly tweak how we are going to go about it," she said. "But generally our plans are pretty flexible anyway, so we don't feel like it's going to be too much of a disadvantage.

"The important thing is getting used to what the conditions are doing and what the Indian batters are doing and being able to adjust from there."

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said her side was ready to exploit any Australian weaknesses in the opener at the Sydney Showground.

"We are a side that can put pressure on any team, we just look to stay in the right mindset and play in the way we can because that is our biggest strength," she said.

The World Cup will culminate in the final at Melbourne on March 8.