Stars full of confidence as campaign begins

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars skipper Meg Lanning is confident her batters are up to the task of countering the Nagpur spin in their Women's World T20 opener against South Africa this evening.

The Southern Stars kick off their campaign for a fourth consecutive title at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, the venue which saw the New Zealand men's three-pronged spin attack dismantle tournament favourites India earlier this week.

Australia have yet to lay eyes on the pitch where they will meet the Proteas – instead training at Nagpur's alternate venue the Civil Lines Stadium on Thursday – but Lanning is confident her team will adapt to whatever conditions are thrown at them.

"We've certainly done a lot of work on playing spin as a batting group and also on how we can bowl it as well," Lanning said.

"There's no doubt spin is going to play a big part in this tournament but we've thought a lot about it and I'm sure we'll be ready to play well with bat and also use the weapons we've got with our bowlers as well."

While the Southern Stars have played just one warm-up match since arriving in India, Lanning said that experience combined with an intense centre-wicket session and the usual rigours of training had done enough to prepare her team for the subcontinent conditions.

"At that centre-wicket practice was about trying a number of different things and getting some match practice. We got a lot of benefit out of it," Lanning said.

"We've prepared as well as we possibly can and we've had enough time to acclimatise.

"The practice match was good, everyone got some time in the middle and we bowled some good overs as well so we're good to go."

However Lanning was giving nothing away about the potential make-up of Australia's XI for the first match.

Twelve members of the Australian squad played in Monday's warm-up against the West Indies, while Ellyse Perry was rested.

The absence of allrounder Grace Harris, who batted at No.7 and supplied a valuable bowling option with her off-spin over the Australian summer, leaves selectors with a gap to fill, with the choice between choosing an extra batter, opting for three spinners – off-spinner Erin Osborne, left-arm spinning allrounder Jess Jonassen and leg-spinner Kristen Beams – or looking to the pace and bounce of their fast bowling attack, which includes the option of left-arm quick Lauren Cheatle.

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"We haven't even seen the ground we've going to play at yet, we've just seen a little of it on TV," Lanning said.

"Once we check out the conditions tomorrow we'll settle on a line up. There's no doubt any of the 15 players could play tomorrow and do a good job, so I'm not too concerned about that.

"We've just got to get the combination right and we'll pick the best team we think is going to win the game tomorrow."

Lanning also didn't confirm whether Australia would stick to the Elyse Villani and Alyssa Healy opening combination they opted for against the West Indies, but given their successful 70-run opening stand, it seems unlikely the Southern Stars will change a winning combination.

"It was a new combination, we've tried a couple of difference ones over the last few series.

"I think they worked really well together, so that's something to look at heading into this group stage.

"The good thing is we've got a number of options that we can go with, and it will depend on the day and the opponent."

South Africa have never beaten the Southern Stars, but Lanning says that does not mean the No.1 ranked Australians will let their guard on Friday.

"We know we're going to have to be our best to get through group stage and that's all we're focused on at the moment," Lanning said.

"They've got some very dangerous players, so we're going to have to play well if we want to beat them on Friday."

Meanwhile, Proteas coach Hilton Moreeng believes his side is ready to take on the three-time defending champions.

"Our preparation going into the match against Australia has been thorough and in a T20 game, anything can happen," Moreeng said.

"It will boil down to the team who apply their basics the best winning the game. I think as a team, we have definitely shown signs of improvement.

"There is always room to do better, but I think that overall, the skills execution has been much better. The batters have had a bit of time in the middle and a lot of time in the nets, so I feel that we are well prepared for (Friday's) game."