Australia run-chase a World T20 blueprint

Rachael Haynes says Australia's aggressive approach to their batting against New Zealand on Saturday night was a 'blueprint' for the style of play they want to take forward into this November's World T20.

Chasing an imposing 5-162 in the opening T20I at North Sydney Oval, Australia lost 4-45 before captain Meg Lanning and her deputy Rachael Haynes came together in a record fifth-wicket partnership to steer their team to a six-wicket win.

Australia have adopted a 'power-hitting first' approach to their T20 batting this year, sending out the explosive quartet of Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner and Elyse Villani ahead of Lanning, Haynes – who, with a strike rate of 172.5 herself on Saturday night proved she's no slouch – and allrounder Ellyse Perry.

It's a tactic that can pay off handsomely if one or two of the big-hitting top four fire, and should they fail, there's one of the world's best batters in Lanning coming in at No.5, backed by the poise of Haynes and Perry.

"We'll back our batting line-up, that's probably one of our strengths that we do bat quite deep in our order," Haynes said on Saturday night.

"Everyone who comes in, we want them to play with an aggressive style and intent and I think tonight was a bit of a blueprint of how we want to (go forward)."

The Australian vice-captain had already scored a half-century against New Zealand playing for the CA XI in a warm-up on Thursday and she picked up where she left off, scoring an unbeaten 69 from 44.

She shared a 119-run stand with Lanning, who struck her own 44-ball 56no, as the pair rapidly took the game away from their trans-Tasman rivals.

"It was good to get a partnership at that point in time, our batters showed good aggression which was nice and that's something we talk about," Haynes.

"We just needed a steadier there and to continue playing the way we wanted as well.

"All along our run rate was really good, we just lost a few early wickets and there was some good bowling out there as well."

Australia's successful chase, achieved with 14 balls remaining, was their highest against New Zealand.

With just one day's break before the second T20I at Brisbane's Allan Border Field, Haynes feels the hosts are well positioned to claim their first 20-over series win over the White Ferns since 2012.

"I think T20 cricket is all about momentum so it's all about carrying on from here there's a couple of things we'll tidy up with the ball and in the field.

"Now we're heading to AB field, it's a great batting track, really quick outfield so hopefully there's more runs for the batters and our bowlers can just maybe tidy up a couple of things with execution."

CommBank T20 INTLs v NZ 

September 29: Australia win by six wickets

October 1: Second T20I, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

October 5: Third T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra

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

New Zealand squad: Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Sophie Devine, Kate Ebrahim, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Amy Satterthwaite (c), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Watkin