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Aussies turn attention to Guyana

A severe storm put pay to Australia's World Twenty20 warm-up game in Antigua

Australia aren't letting Saturday's false start to their Women’s World T20 campaign faze them as they switch their attention to Guyana.

Meg Lanning’s team were scheduled to have their first official hit-out of the tour, a warm-up match against England, at Antigua’s Coolidge Cricket Ground on Saturday evening local time.

But a sudden and intense squall delayed the start, before a second, stronger storm dashed any hopes of play, the ground left sodden even when the weather cleared.

The Australians drew one silver lining from the evening, taking the opportunity to have a brief fielding session under lights after play was abandoned.

"It was a little bit disappointing, but the girls are in pretty good spirits,” spinner Jess Jonassen said.

Tough for me to get back in: Jonassen

"A couple of them are out there now doing some fielding under lights while we’ve got the opportunity before the next bit of rain hits.

"And we’re looking forward to hopefully getting back on the park for the next one."

Enough piña coladas, back to work!

Australia will fly to the South American nation of Guyana on Sunday, their base for the next two weeks as their bid to win back the World T20 campaign begins in earnest.

First up, they’ll have a second chance at a warm-up match on Tuesday when they meet South Africa – who were soundly beaten by Pakistan in a practice match on Saturday afternoon – before the tournament proper begins on Friday with a clash against Pakistan.

"I think any match leading into a World Cup or any series is vital," Jonassen said of the warm-up against the Proteas.

"The girls have had some really good prep over in Malaysia before this, so for us we’ve got some games under our belt already.

"So even though tonight was a washout, hopefully we’ll get on against South Africa and we can have a really good, competitive hit out before our first game against Pakistan."

Unfinished business for two years: Mott

Guyana presents unchartered territory for Australia’s women, who’ve never before played in the South American nation.

But with a reputation as one of the lowest and slowest wickets in the Caribbean, left-arm spinner Jonassen is eager to see what is on offer for Australia’s spin brigade.

"It’s going to be very interesting," she said. "It’s going to be pretty different but I’m sure the girls will be able to adapt and we’ll enjoy our time there for sure."

Australia will also have three training sessions in Guyana ahead of their World T20 opener – time in the local conditions that will be crucial, according to Australia great Mel Jones.

"It might quicken up a bit because the ICC take over the grounds in the lead-up to the tournament, so hopefully they'll try and put a little pace and bounce in it, but I don't think there'll be a lot," Jones, who has seen plenty of cricket in the region through her work commentating on the Caribbean Premier League, told cricket.com.au last month.

"Chris Green (who played for Guyana in this year's CPL) has been giving me a bit of inside information and he said it takes three to four decent knocks on the training decks (to adequately prepare) because you start to get a decent sense of what you're going to face in the middle.

"So there'll be a lot of training before they play game one."

Australia will meet South Africa in a warm-up beginning 4pm Tuesday local time (Wednesday 7am AEDT).

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

November 9: Australia v Pakistan, Province Stadium, Guyana

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground