Bowlers take key lessons ahead of rare Pakistan clash

Australia’s bowling attack will take important lessons from their close call in Saturday's World Cup opener against England as they prepare for a rare encounter with Pakistan.

A career-best 130 from Rachael Haynes helped Australia to 3-310, the highest ODI total ever scored against their fierce rivals.

But a brilliant unbeaten 109 from Natalie Sciver took the game to the final ever, before Jess Jonassen defended 16 in a clutch display to seal the 12-run victory.

It was the second time in as many games the Australian bowlers have found themselves fighting to stop a batter running rampant, following their nine-wicket warm-up loss to New Zealand led by Sophie Devine's 161no.

"I think a couple of things stand out to me today," Haynes said on Saturday night.

"I think early we just were bowling either too full or too short and that enabled them to get some good momentum.

"We missed a couple of catches as well, we probably could have Tammy (Beaumont) out early and Nat at the back end.

"In this format and in these conditions, taking those opportunities is going to be really important.

"We've got a couple of things that we need to tidy up on heading into our next game.

"But by the same token, it's really nice to get that first win away, and we can build from there."

Haynes' maiden World Cup century came after an unconvincing start to her personal tournament, which saw her hit 36 from 65 deliveries in a warm-up against West Indies before falling for two against New Zealand.

It followed scores of four, 10 and 31 during the ODI leg of the Ashes, and Haynes said while she had found it tough going through the early stages of Saturday's innings – her first fifty runs came off 73 balls – she had never felt out of form.

"It's funny, coming into this game I was probably a little light on runs. I didn't feel out of nick, but I was just getting out early, so it was nice to make a contribution today.

"I think our top four is going to play a really big role in this tournament and our ability to score big hundreds will be really important particularly on flatter wickets."

Sciver, meanwhile, was left grappling with warring emotions after England's defeat, equal parts frustrated to have fallen so short and pleased at a batting display vastly improved on their recent efforts during the ODI portion of the Ashes.

"From the Ashes we've wanted to make a shift as batters in our mindset, and bring that intent a bit more, which we did during the warm-up games, so to bring it out against Australia was really important and everyone did their job today, so I think that's certainly a positive," Sciver said.

(I'm) just a bit frustrated really, that we couldn't get over the line.

"From where we were at the end of the Ashes, we were in a pretty low spot.

"To be able to turn that around in a couple of weeks is really important and to be able to take that into the rest of the tournament.

"I think we've already seen a lot of high scoring games and it's important for us to do the same."

Having gone into the Australia match as underdogs and having the luxury of being able to throw everything at a game they were not expected to win, England must now flip their mindset ahead of Tuesday's showdown with West Indies in Dunedin.

England will go in as strong favourites against their eighth-ranked rivals, but the Windies will be filled with confidence after their thrilling final-over upset win against hosts New Zealand on Friday.

"They had a pretty special game against New Zealand ... Hayley (Matthews) looks to be batting well, so we'll be doing our homework as we usually do on their key players," Sciver said.

"As bowlers we probably missed our mark a little bit today so being able to be clear on what we want to do to the West Indies is important (as is) bringing that mentality with the bat."

Australia meanwhile have two days to regroup before their next round robin match against Pakistan in Tauranga, the first time they will have played an ODI against Bismah Maroof's team since their 2018 series in Malaysia.

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Australia def England by 12 runs

Mar 8: v Pakistan, Bay Oval, Tauranga, 12pm AEDT

Mar 13: v New Zealand, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 15: v West Indies, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 19: v India, Eden Park, Auckland, 12pm AEDT

Mar 22: v South Africa, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 31: Hagley Park Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEDT

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports