No risk of complacency with World Cup looming: Haynes

For a team that has lost just two international matches over the past twelve months, it's valid to ask the question: how do you stay motivated?

Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes – speaking at the announcement of Australia's T20I and ODI squads that will take on Sri Lanka – is adamant that the collective will to be the best team in the world firmly stamps out any sense of complacency.

"We've got really high expectations for ourselves internally and where we want to get to as a team and how dominant we want to be in world cricket," Haynes said.

"It means at times you have to be a little critical of how we're going about things.

"It's all looking at the bigger picture and making sure that our team is improving and getting to where we want to be later in the season."

Fresh off an unbeaten tour of the Caribbean, which was preceded by a convincing Ashes win in the UK, Australia will enter the home series against Sri Lanka as heavy favourites.

That being said, Australia are refusing to underestimate their up-and-coming subcontinent rivals who they have not faced since the one-day World Cup in 2017.

"It's a unique challenge but they've certainly got a lot of players that can be dangerous on their day," said Haynes.

"We saw that first hand in the 2017 World Cup when (Chamari) Atapattu came out and whacked a pretty good hundred against us.

"We're not underestimating them by any stretch of the imagination, and we're looking forward to kicking off the Australian summer at North Sydney Oval."

Another factor driving Australia's extraordinary run of success on the world stage is the fierce competition for spots in the squad as the team leads into a home World Cup in early 2020.

With just seven T20 fixtures to play before Australia's opening T20 World Cup match on February 21, there is no doubt the three-match series against Sri Lanka will see Australia's players keen to lock away some strong performances on the field.

"This series (against Sri Lanka) is all part of it really. Leading into what will be a tri-series (against England and India) later then obviously the World Cup in Australia which is a pretty huge tournament," Haynes said.

"I know the players are really keen to put out some strong performances and put their name forward for selection in those big tournaments later in the year."

By nature of the shortest format of the game, middle order batters in particular can often be left craving time in the middle – simply as a result of the top order firing as intended.

Haynes, who has recently batted at number five in Australia's T20 order concedes she would jump at the opportunity to move up the order and expects that batters will be given ample opportunity to prove themselves during this series.

"It would be nice to get up the order in the T20s," she said. "Lots of our batters would like an opportunity this series.

"It's probably a really great indication of just how well our team is doing and how dominant we have been that some people are a little bit lean on time in the middle

"By the same token I think there'll be opportunity throughout this series."

Another consideration that is easily overlooked – yet vitally crucial to the success of this team that is amid its most hectic period of international cricket yet – is the value of team camaraderie on and off the field.

Touching down after the colossal journey from the Caribbean less than a week ago, the risk of fatigue for the team, both mental and physical, is certainly there.

Haynes believes the positive, relaxed dynamic of the team is a way of combating this risk.

"Definitely a happy team makes for a pretty nice environment on and off the field," Haynes said.

"It helps keep people nice and relaxed and I think we're seeing that in terms of how we're playing and things like that.

"There's a real willingness within the team to keep challenging ourselves and make sure we're progressing in the right direction and preparing really well for what is a really big summer of cricket."

The T20I series against Sri Lanka starts on Sunday, September 29 at North Sydney Oval. All matches will be broadcast live on Channel Seven and Fox Cricket and streamed on Kayo.

Tickets are priced at $15 for adults, while kids are free. To purchase tickets, visit watchme.cricket.com.au.

CommBank Series v Sri Lanka

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Erin Burns (T20I only), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Sri Lanka T20I squad: Chamari Atapattu (c), Harshitha Madavi, Shashikala Siriwardena, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hansima Karunaratne, Yashoda Mendis, Nilakshi De Silva, Dilani Manodara, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandhika Kumari, Inoshi Fernando, Achini Kulasooriya, Udeshika Probodhani, Ama Kanchana.

First T20I: September 29, North Sydney Oval, 2.40pm

Second T20I: September 30, North Sydney Oval, 7.10pm

Third T20I: October 2, North Sydney Oval, 10.10am

First ODI: October 5, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

Second ODI:October 7, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

Third ODI: October 9, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

*All ODIs are ICC Women's Championship matches