AUSTRALIA will start its campaign for a fourth consecutive ICC T20 Women’s World Cup title on Saturday night against Sri Lanka.

After facing both England and the West Indies in warm-up games on Monday and Tuesday (Dubai time), Australia will be confident in their ability to make decent headway at the tournament after strong performances.

Batting first against England, Australia set a modest total of 162 with the bat before taking out a 33-run win. Vice captain Tahlia McGrath starred in this match picking up 3-18 with the ball and 31 from 22 with the bat.

She was assisted by batter Beth Mooney who chipped in with a half century from 30 deliveries.

Rising all-rounder Georgia Wareham was again dependable in the back half of the innings with the bat hitting 15 off 18 balls.

In the bowling innings Australia looked to bowl those that have not featured at the level due to injury, with Kim Garth and Darcie Brown both taking the new ball.

Before this game, it was some injury concerns to young gun Phoebe Litchfield (groin soreness) and all-rounder Grace Harris that were at the front of mind as both were ruled out of the pair of warm-up fixtures. Harris has been missed the series against New Zealand due to a low-grade calf strain but is expected to be fit but not necessarily before the opening game.

In the second warm-up game against the West Indies, it was Annabel Sutherland that stood up. She hit a match-winning 38 from 28 balls partnered with Alana King who notched up 21 not out from 13 deliveries.

This partnership saved the game as Australia were looking to beef up their lean total which was 5-59, that turned into 8-144 after they were sent in.

In the bowling innings, Sutherland took the crucial wicket of Deandre Dottin when she claimed two wickets in two balls. This started the collapse of the West Indies that insured as the Australians bowled them out for 109 in 17.5 overs.

Prior to this, it was speedster Tayla Vlaeminck that conceded 16 runs off her first over to get the West Indies’ runs flowing. Luckily Ellyse Perry took the wicket to end this stand in the 10th over, this ended a 68-run first wicket partnership.

From this match it was the efforts of Vlaeminck (3/33), King (4/30 off 3.5 overs) and Sutherland (2/2 off one over) that were key to their 35 run win.

Australia’s squad: Alyssa Healy (captain), Tahlia McGrath (vice-captain), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Elyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck.