The side, who won Commonwealth bronze medals in March, face favourites the Netherlands on Friday before tackling Olympic champions Germany, hosts Spain and Commonwealth silver medallists India.

 

Alex Danson put ninth-seeded England ahead against China from a goalmouth scramble but Ma Yi Bo levelled for the Chinese.

 

Lucilla Wright gave England a half-time lead but they were pegged back again five minutes after the break when Ren Ye deflected the ball past Beth Storry.

 

With China down to 10 players, Cullen struck the winning goal from a 55th-minute penalty corner.

 

"China are one of the world's best teams and they wanted to come out and attack - and that suited what we wanted to do," said Danny Kerry, the coach.

 

"It was good to get our tournament up and running."