'We have high expectations' – Haynes explains Australia's drive to dominate world cricket

The women's team will play a limited-overs series against Sri Lanka starting this week and Haynes expected the matches to help them prepare for the bigger prize.

"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 told reporters*.*

"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."

Australia are the defending T20 champions, having beaten England in the final of the 2018 edition in the West Indies to reclaim the trophy. They have been dominant in the format since then and are keen to extend their hold on the trophy in 2020. This time they have the added advantage of playing the tournament at home.

"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," she 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."

Australia are fresh from a resounding series win in the Caribbean and while continuous cricket increases the risk of both mental and physical fatigue in players, Haynes believes the team's positive and calm dynamic helps them cope with any challenges that come their way.

"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.

"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."

Australia will play three T20Is, followed by three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka, the first of which will be played on Sunday, 29 September, in Sydney.