Stars not panicking despite surprise loss

The result didn't go in the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars' favour in the first Twenty20 International at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday, but wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy says the hosts are not hitting the panic button just yet.

The Stars' five-wicket defeat was their first loss on home soil since the 2013-14 Ashes, against a relatively unknown opponent in India and with two promising young players making their debuts.

Australia tried out a new opening combination for the first of three T20Is, going for Grace Harris and debutante Beth Mooney, who were a force at the top of the order for the Brisbane Heat during the first half of the Rebel Women's Big Bash League.

The big-hitting Harris departed for a duck, but Mooney acquitted herself well with the bat, scoring 36 from 36 balls.

Hard-hitting 21-year-old Naomi Stalenberg also made her debut but did not get the opportunity to bat, while 17-year-old left-arm quick Lauren Cheatle is expecting to earn a maiden cap in either Melbourne or Sydney.

WATCH: Stars commentate their own big-hitting!

Healy said it was all about getting the formula perfect for their tilt at a fourth-straight World T20 title in March.

"This is what the series is for, it's about trying some new talent and fresh faces, making changes and getting the squad right," Healy said.

"We're not in crisis being beaten today, we tried a few new things."

While Mooney lacked some of the pizzazz she displayed during the WBBL, which saw the wicketkeeper selected as a specialist batter on Tuesday, Healy put it down to first-game nerves.

"I think she batted really well," Healy said.

"She's done an outstanding job for Brisbane in the WBBL and hopefully she'll come out on Friday and bat with the freedom she showed in the WBBL.

"I know the feeling of being on debut and you don't want to get out, but you want to do the job for the team.

"She's had a taste of it now and fingers crossed she'll go out there Friday and really show what she can do."

One major bright spot for Australia was the electric batting of Healy, who scored an unbeaten 41 off just 15 balls.

WATCH: Healy hammers Australia to competitive total

The wicketkeeper was the only batter to dominate India's attack in an otherwise tentative Stars' innings, helping the hosts to 5-140 after they were 5-81 in the 16th over.

It followed recent knocks of 81, 44 and 32no for the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL and continued a strong summer after she averaged 52.66 in the 50-over Women's National Cricket League late last year.

"It was a pleasing personal performance but you want to get a win and get in change room to sing the team song, so it's not the best feeling," Healy said.

Healy had been opening the batting for the Sixers but found herself coming in at No.7 against India, owing to the incredible depth of the Australian batting (specialist batter Naomi Stalenberg was at No.8).

"I'm happy to bat anywhere, so be completely honest," she said.

"I love opening the opening for the Southern Stars and the Sixers, but coming in late in the order allows me the freedom I seem to find later in the innings.

"It's an odd feeling (to dominate in a loss) so obviously I've got to pat myself on the back because I know I did a job for the team, but now we need to head back to Melbourne and do a good job together."