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Mott calls for Stars to find their freedom

Southern Stars will look to bat more aggressively in the second T20 against India on Friday

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars coach Matthew Mott has called on his charges to bat with more freedom in their second Women's KFC T20 INTL against India on Friday.

India claimed a five-wicket upset at Adelaide Oval on Australia Day, as Harmanpreet Kaur powered her team to victory with a swashbuckling 46 from 31 balls.

It's the sort of batting Mott hopes to see from the hosts in their second outing at the MCG.

Watch: Kaur crushes Stars on Australia Day

"I think it was quite a rusty performance (on Tuesday), we were a little bit timid with the bat," Mott told cricket.com.au.

"We'd spoken at length about how we wanted to make full use of the first Power Play but losing a few wickets in there meant we probably didn’t maximise the fielding restrictions as much as we should have.

"There were a lot of lessons to be learned but without making excuses, it was our first run together for a while.

"India played very smartly and a little more free spirited than we did in the first 10 to 15 overs. We've got to push a little harder in those early overs to make use of our very long batting order."

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Australia opted for a new opening partnership in the first T20, hoping Brisbane Heat pair Grace Harris and Beth Mooney could continue their successful collaboration at the top of the order.

Harris fell for a second-ball duck but Mooney worked her way to a run-a-ball 36, while Sydney Sixers opener Alyssa Healy was by far the most explosive of the batters, chiming in with a 15-ball 41 at No.7.

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Mott said he expected the Southern Stars to persevere with their batting order from Adelaide as they search for the best combination for the World T20 in March.

"(Healy opening) is something we have discussed because she opened a lot in the WBBL, but we're pretty confident with where we are at and Beth Mooney had a very good start to the WBBL.

"She and Harris are a very good combination so we've going to give them a try for a little while yet.

"But Healy is something we've got up our sleeve if we look to make changes. We know she's very adaptable, but she's also been critical for us at the back end of innings when she's clear to express herself.

"It's a bit of a balancing act but I think our batting order is completely adaptable, so the key is to find that right formula as quick as we can and get our thoughts right for the T20 World Cup, which is our long-term goal."

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While the batters will look to be more aggressive, Southern Stars vice-captain Alex Blackwell said they would also look to their fast bowlers to take it to India on Friday.

"India timed the ball beautifully on Tuesday so we've got to look at more changes in pace and executing our shorter ball better," Blackwell said.

"We were bowling it in hittable areas and that’s something we're going to need to address, to make sure our bouncers are true bouncers."

Australia played two debutantes in Adelaide, while the third uncapped member of the squad, 17-year-old left-arm quick Lauren Cheatle, could earn her first cap on Friday or in Sunday's third match at the SCG.

"I'd hope so, she's performed so well for the Sydney Thunder and I think she deserves a call up to the T20 side. I look forward to seeing her debut at some stage," said Blackwell, who also captained Cheatle at the Thunder.

"In the lead-up to the World T20 I think they'd want to see how she performs at this level.

"We've got an outstanding crew on the sidelines and some great players to choose from, so I don't know what the team is for tomorrow."