The Southern Stars might have already wrapped up their series against India 3-0 but all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar says the squad still has plenty to play for in the remaining two games of the international World Cup warm-up series at Manuka Oval today and tomorrow.
Both teams arrived in Canberra on Thursday and had sessions in the Manuka nets yesterday.
''I think there is a lot of motivation,'' Sthalekar said. ''We have the World Cup in four months' time and this sends a strong message out that we are playing really positive cricket and it also gives our girls an opportunity just to fine-tune a few different things,''
''India are ranked No2 in the world and it's important to take on the best teams heading into the World Cup ... I think we have been playing very good cricket, we've struggled a little bit in the past few series to come away with some dominant wins and I think we are able to do that now.''
Captain Karen Rolton said the Southern Stars were focused on posting an even bigger score this weekend after tallying 6-223 in the third game of the series.
''We have a lot of really good players in good form, the batters are making a lot of runs we have been making scores or 215 and 220 so hopefully we can get to 270 or 300 on the weekend,'' Rolton said.
''And the bowlers have really been doing their job for us, so far it's been a great all-round effort.''
Australia's dual international Ellyse Perry who could have been lining up for the Central Coast Mariners against Canberra United in soccer's W-League tomorrow afternoon will instead be in action at Manuka after finishing her HSC exams last week. Perry is a current Matilda as well as a Southern Star and will be one of the fastest bowlers at Manuka Oval.
The other two are the two current fastest women in the world, Indian Jhulan Goswami and Australia's Emma Sampson, who both push 120km/h regularly. Goswami last year won the ICC international women's cricketer of the year.
She was also the first Indian woman to take all 10 wickets in one Test innings. Although she has failed to take a major haul in the first three one-dayers, Rolton said Goswami was always one to watch.
''It's been good to have the hit-out against India, they have the best bowler going around in Jhulan Goswami and she's always a tough challenge,'' Rolton said.
The Australian team will play New Zealand next February as its final hit-out before the women's Cricket World Cup starts at the end of February in Australia. Manuka Oval will host two games England versus Sri Lanka on March 7, and Sri Lanka versus Pakistan on March 9.
TODAY AND TOMORROW
One-day Internationals at Manuka Oval. Australia v India at Manuka Oval, play both days starts at 10am. Entry is free.