Osborne: We can spin our way to WT20 glory

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars spinners are licking their lips after watching New Zealand's spinners take India to task in their men's World T20 clash in Nagpur earlier this week.

The Southern Stars kick off their campaign at the same venue – the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium – on Friday against South Africa, and off-spinner Erin Osborne says Australia's tweakers are keen to see if they can produce the same sort of turn that saw Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Nathan McCullum snare nine wickets as India were skittled for 79.

"I did manage to watch that game and as a spin bowler I was pretty happy with the conditions," Osborne said on the eve of Australia's opening match.

"I don't know if we'll get a similar pitch to the one that they played on that night, but hopefully we will and our spinners can take full advantage of it."

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The Southern Stars have three spin options at their disposal – with Osborne joined by leg-spinner Kristen Beams and left-armer Jess Jonassen.

Osborne is confident all have the potential to wreak havoc for Australia.

"Kristen Beams is bowling fantastically and so is Jess, so we're really looking forward to it and hopefully spin can play a big part in it."

Jonassen opened the bowling for Australia in their warm-up match against West Indies on Monday, taking a wicket with her third delivery, while Beams snared 3-9.

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Beams particularly would be looking forward to getting her hands on the ball on the Nagpur wicket, after Black Caps leg-spinner Sodhi found appreciative spin to remove Virat Kohli with his first ball and claim another two victims with a combination of flight and turn.

It remains to be seen which bowling attack the Southern Stars will take into Friday's match.

In addition to their spinning stocks, they have an array of pace options – including left-arm quick Lauren Cheatle – at their disposal.

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But while it may make life harder for the selectors, Osborne believes it is one of the defending champions' greatest strengths.

"As a bowling unit that variety is one of our strengths and not only with spin, but with the quicks as well," Osborne said.

"Having a left-armer with Lauren Cheatle just adds a bit of variety and I think that will be beneficial for our campaign."

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Osborne, who was recalled to the Southern Stars squad after being left out of the team which played India in January, said she was feeling confident after her return to the international fold.

Her recall came courtesy of a player-of-the-match performance for the Sydney Thunder in the Rebel Women's Big Bash League final, where she claimed 3-21.

"Obviously it was disappointing to be out for the home series against India but it in some ways it gave me a bit of time to get away and re-energise and come back to hopefully put on a strong performance for Australia.

"It was nice to finish off the WBBL season well and remind the selectors I'm still here."