Batting riches present unique problem for Australia

Game time in Australian colours is a hot commodity as the need to impress selectors grows ever more pressing with not one, but two ICC tournaments on the horizon.

First and foremost is the T20 World Cup next February and March, but also in the back of Australian captain Meg Lanning’s mind is the next 50-over World Cup, to be held in New Zealand in early 2021.

Speaking on the eve of Australia’s first one-day international against Sri Lanka, Lanning admitted there was a challenge in ensuring batters were given ample opportunity to hone their skills in a match environment given the volume of talent within the squad.

"We’ve got five or six opening batters within our squad so it’s hard to give everyone an opportunity," Lanning said. 

Each of the top five batters in Australia’s most recent 50-over XI – Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Lanning, Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney – opening the batting in their respective WBBL sides.

Not to mention regular ODI No.6 Ashleigh Gardner, who comes in behind Healy and Perry for the Sydney Sixers.

"The challenge for us I guess is trying to use everyone’s talent as best we can – and what that role looks like for different people," Lanning said.

"I guess in the T20 format we’ve been trying to find that (formula) and we gave opportunities to different players throughout the series.

"I think our ODI formula has been pretty set and you don’t change things as much in ODI cricket."

Image Id: A5DF96DF361440BA84A50EBB846BB2FA Image Caption: Meg Lanning, Matthew Mott and Shawn Flegler ponder selection // cricket.com.au

It remains to be seen whether West Australian allrounder Heather Graham, yet to make her debut after earning a call-up ahead of the tour of the West Indies, will get a run in this series.

Captain Lanning and the Australia brains trust can be excused for not wanting to tinker too much with their winning formula.

The No.1 ranked Australians are currently enjoying a 15-match winning stretch in the 50-over format, and will have the opportunity this week to overtake the longest winning run in women’s ODI history.

Not only that, Australia have never lost an ODI at Allan Border Field.

"We always look forward to playing here at AB Field," Lanning said.

"We play a lot of domestic cricket here, so everyone’s pretty familiar with the conditions.

"Generally it’s a good batting wicket, and the outfield is lightning fast."

Spending the first part of the day training at Allan Border Field on Friday, the Australian group appeared fresh, despite the whirlwind T20I series wrapping up in Sydney just two days ago.

"We’ve had big days, then rest days in between. I haven’t sensed any fatigue within the group." Lanning said.

"I think everyone’s up and about. It was a good training today.

"The good thing is, we get to play a lot. We do less training and more playing, which I think everyone is happy with.

"At the moment everyone’s going really nicely, and we’re all set to go for tomorrow."

The challenges faced by Sri Lanka ODI captain Sashikala Siriwardena are in stark contrast to those faced by Lanning’s side.

Off the back of a convincing 3-0 T20I series defeat, Siriwardena is adamant that her side is taking every opportunity to learn from the No.1 ranked Australians.

"We have to learn a lot of things from the Australian team, this is the first time we are here for a bilateral series," Siriwardena said.

"It’s really hard to find flaws in this team. Each and everyone in the team has their own unique talents.

"Hopefully if we believe in ourselves and our basics and our tactics, we might be a good challenge.

"We just want to improve ourselves, winning is another challenge, but we just want to play good cricket."

The first ODI at AB Field will begin at 10.10am AEST on Saturday, with broadcast on the Seven Network, Fox Cricket, Kayo and the CA Live app.

CommBank Series v Sri Lanka

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Erin Burns (T20I only), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Sri Lanka T20I squad: Chamari Atapattu (c), Harshitha Madavi, Shashikala Siriwardena, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hansima Karunaratne, Yashoda Mendis, Nilakshi De Silva, Dilani Manodara, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandhika Kumari, Inoshi Fernando, Achini Kulasooriya, Udeshika Probodhani, Ama Kanchana.

First T20I: Australia won by 41 runs

Second T20I: Australia won by 9 wickets

Third T20I: Australia won by 132 runs

First ODI: October 5, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

Second ODI:October 7, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

Third ODI: October 9, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

*All ODIs are ICC Women's Championship matches