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ODI prep suits Aussie women for World T20

3 minute read

Australia's women will use a three-match one-day series against Pakistan as a chance to get some time in the middle for their batters ahead of the World T20.

ALYSSA HEALY of the Sixers bats during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Brisbane Heat at SCG in Sydney, Australia.
ALYSSA HEALY of the Sixers bats during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Brisbane Heat at SCG in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

A three-match one-day series for Australia's women's cricketers against Pakistan might provide the perfect preparation for next month's World Twenty20, according to coach Matthew Mott.

Australia haven't played a ODI since March, having since won a T20 tri-series against England and India and then clean sweeping New Zealand in three T20s in preparation for the Caribbean tournament.

They'll play Pakistan in three ODIs in Malaysia, before returning to the T20 format for three more matches against the same opponents before next months' global tournament.

But Mott was keen to use the one-dayers as a chance to give his batters more time in the middle, with Ellyse Perry not used against New Zealand and Rachael Haynes not dismissed as the Aussies won two games by six wickets and the other by nine.

"ODI cricket comes at a good time for us," Mott said.

"Even though there are a lot of good batters in form, we probably didn't get some balls into the batters that are going to play a key role in the middle of the innings for us in the T20 World Cup.

"ODI cricket will give that opportunity to a few of them. They will have a bit more time to go out there and find their feet before they have to go too hard.

"We talk about playing the same styles of cricket (in T20s and ODIs) - it's just for longer."

Australia's women haven't played in Malaysia previously, the venue being used with the United Arab Emirates unavailable due to the men's tour and Pakistan still ruled out as a host through security concerns.

Australia can go top of the ICC women's one-day championship with a series victory, against a Pakistan side who have never beaten them in any form of the game.

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