4 March - Hamilton - Australia Captain Meg Lanning pre-match press conference
Reporter: I suppose the obvious one Meg – how is Ash doing, and have you figured out what your team combination looks like in her absence?
Meg: Yeah, she's going well, as far as I've heard, and we've tried to stay in touch with her as best we could. Obviously feeling for Ash, it's unfortunate. That sort of - yeah she's tested positive. But yeah, as a side, we've tried to move on, I guess that's what you have to do in a tournament like this. So more supportive of Ash, but we're looking forward to the game tomorrow. And in terms of the lineup, we are working through what exactly that looks like, Annabel Sutherland has been bowling and batting extremely well. So she's an option there, Nic Carey as well, you know, has played some really good innings for Australia, and some good overs as well. So we feel we've got options, we just need to decide what exactly that that might look like.
Reporter: Can you talk us through I mean, the sequence of events after you found out - it must have been a very anxious time for all of you finding out about her. And then all of you getting tested as well, it can’t have been easy.
Meg: I suppose there was a few nerves around in terms of you know, whether it had spread between the group obviously, that's the concern, but we've been doing everything we possibly can to avoid that and, try and stay out of trouble, I guess. And in a way, it is sort of inevitable, given the amount of cases that are in New Zealand. So we expected that it could happen. But the fact that they've been able to sort of isolate it, just to Ash at the moment is a really good sign. And you know, now that we've trained out here today, I think it's sort of hit everybody that the games are starting tomorrow. And that's really exciting. I think it's been a bit of a slow couple of weeks, to be honest, coming out of quarantine and getting prepped, but we feel like we're as good as we can be. And everybody is really excited to play cricket.
Reporter: And do you think this will make the team like tighten up even further from here on out - I know you have a little bit of freedom of what you've been able to do within the restrictions?
Meg: Yeah, I guess it's just a day by day sort of thing. We have been probably extra careful the past few days, just to make sure that we could isolate it as much as possible. But it's finding that balance, I guess, in terms of trying to be able to escape from Cricket and enjoy yourself off the field, but still being really careful. And as I said before, we've been doing everything we possibly can to find that balance and make sure we're staying within the protocols. And she's done the same thing. So she certainly hasn't done anything wrong there. It's just a bit unlucky. And yeah, we're looking forward to getting back in in 10 days’ time.
Reporter: Did you get to have a look out in the middle today? And what are you expecting from the conditions here tomorrow?
Meg: Yeah, have a look at the wicket. It looks it looks really good. You know, genuinely, it seems like there can be a bit in the wicket area with the new ball, which is what we've seen in our practice games, and, and then it sort of flattens out throughout the day, potentially on the lighter side on a little bit. And dew could be a factor, I guess. So we'll just sort of weigh that up. But conditions look excellent – the outfields in really good nick, and looks like it's set up for a really good contest.
Reporter: Meg the Aussies they've got a bit of a legacy in this tournament, and you've been waiting five years for this moment to finally come around. There's a sense of increased magnitude heading into this tournament on the game day eve?
Oh, I don't think any more than any of the previous World Cups I've been a part of. There's always nerves heading into the first game. There's been a pretty big build up over the last few weeks in particular, and even over the last sort of few years, it's been something we've had our eye on. So yeah, there's nerves within the group, but I think every team would say that, but you know, there's excitement as well. We're just looking forward to the opportunity to sort of get out there and see what's going to happen. I think we've done enough preparation, we feel as good and as ready as we can be. And now it's about putting it out on the park in the big moments. And that's how you win a World Cup.
Reporter: I guess looking back to that to T20 World Cup in 2020. You guys have been targeting on as hot favorites. Do you think learning anything - you've learned from that experience, and that those are the things prepare you for these big tournaments?
Meg: I think we do have a lot of experience in World Cups and performing under pressure and what that looks like. And I think if anything, we've learned to really try and focus on how we can best prepare and play. And, of course, we look at the opposition and what their strengths and weaknesses are. But at the end of the day, I think if you go out there and really play to your potential and strengths, then that's going to give you the best chance of winning and that's certainly what we've done in preparation for this World Cup and particularly over the last sort of week with those practice games is trying to worry about what we're going to do and making sure we're focusing on that because we feel like if we can do that, then that'll put us in a good position.
Reporter: Just about England - Is it a good thing to be playing them first up when you just busted them in the Ashes?
Meg: I don't know, to be honest. But yeah, we've also got to come up against them at some point. And I think it's been well documented that that tournament play in World Cups are very different to bilateral series. So while we are happy that we won those three ODI’s in the Ashes, and we were about to beat them in the Ashes, we fully understand that these are different circumstances. And we need to come out here tomorrow and play our best cricket in order to win tomorrow. So everyone starts on zero points in the World Cup. It's an even playing field. And that's the way that we're looking at it tomorrow.
Reporter: Can I also ask, Are you going to be heavily rotating during the stage or is it going to be a fairly best rated players each day?
Meg: We'll be picking the best team that we have available each game. Yeah, that does involve some management of probably some younger fastballers to be honest. And yeah, I think every team will go through that. You know, we need to make sure that everyone's available to play a different potential and if they're not then we will look to bring other people in, but we're certainly going into every game trying to play our best team that's available. There won't be any rotations going on.
Reporter: I was going to ask specifically about Darcy. Obviously, we saw her bowling or playing in the Ashes ODI - How have you seen her train ahead of this tournament – do you think her body will be up to playing back to back matches if needed?
Meg: Yeah, I think she's prepared really nicely coming into this game. She's a weapon for us. She's a wicket taker, and we feel like she's going to play an important role for us throughout the tournament. It's unlikely she'll be able to play every game within the group stage. She's a young fast bowler who we need to make sure we look after but there's certainly key games and key matchups that we feel like she will really make a difference for us with - so you know, like, like any young fast bowler it's important that we manage them and work with them and Darcy is no different because she's so important to us.
Reporter: And just a quick one on Alyssa - obviously I also want to talk about her form throughout the Ashes - but as we've seen in previous ICC tournaments, you kind of find another level - have you noticed anything in her training or I guess preparations for this tournament that suggests that's going to be the same?
Meg: She looks good. The other day in practice game against New Zealand she was on the front foot immediately punishing any bad balls? And yeah, Alyssa has shown over her career that in big games, she steps up and World Cups a tournament's that she plays extremely well in - so I expect the same from her throughout. She's a big game player and she's very important to us.
Reporter: In this tournament - I recently saw the photo’s – [inaudible 09:20] captains – it was taken around the last World Cup – do you think [inaudible] recorded in this kind of tournaments, how important it is for you as a global knowledge what has happened in the past and then this tournament [inaudible]
Meg: I think it's very important that we acknowledge the past players and what they achieved in the game, you know, not only within Australian players, but all around the world. There's been magnificent contributions from so many people to get the game to where we are now and we're very appreciative of their efforts and also congratulate them on all the feats they're able to achieve and Australia has had a lot of success in World Cups, but heading into this one we've got a new group of players who are looking to sort of create our own legacy in a way. And, you know, as I said, before, everyone starts on zero points in this World Cup, the past and history doesn't count for anything over the past over the next six weeks. So that's how we're looking at it as a team, we need to go out there and perform over the next month. And that's the challenge for our group. And we're looking forward to it.
Reporter: And have you or anyone in the team has any kind of chats or discussions with previous players before?
Meg: Yeah I've spoken to a few over the past few years, to be honest, and beyond that, they're always great to have around the group and to get their thoughts and experiences on what World Cups are like and also just, you know, how they played the game and what it look like. So as a group where, you know, we're committed to acknowledging that the past and the contributions that people have made - that that's really important to us. So, you know, they're all wishing us very well. And, you know, we're just excited to get out there and hopefully, sort of build out your own chapter in in what is an incredible history.
Reporter: Just regarding the warm up matches what we saw against New Zealand. How important or how significant was that Defeat - is that kind of a reality check for the squad to make sure that you're going to be expecting scores like that, during the tournament, even if it's not like a main venue – 300 being chased - is that something that you're foreseeing?
Meg: Firstly, on that New Zealand warm up game, I think, you know, just sort of showed us what we expected is that there's some world class teams and individuals in this tournament, who, on any day can, can take it to you and take the game away from you. So it wasn't a surprise to us, we know that this is a very open World Cup and World Cups are very difficult to win. So it just really affirmed that to us that we need to be very clear on what we're trying to achieve how we want to play and make sure that we bring our best to every game because if you don't, we will get beaten. And that sort of just reaffirmed to us the other day playing against the Kiwis - You know, Sophie Devine is an amazing player. And, you know, she, she pretty much showed us how it was done. So I think it's a really good, good thing for our group to go through. You know, we certainly were in practice matches mode and would have played things slightly differently if it was a real game and feel like we've got a few different things we can go to. So that's exciting as well. But I think in general, it was a great practice match and a good situation to go through. I think in terms of the high scoring games, I think there's a very high chance that we’ll see 300+ scores throughout this tournament particularly early on, I think, while the pitchers are fresh and teams are fresh as well. So that's exciting. I think that's the way the game has been going for the last few years. And you know, that's just going to create a really great product that hopefully people enjoy watching and as players will enjoy playing in so it's a sign that there's going to be some great games ahead.
Reporter: [inaudible 13:45] what does it feel like that you're the most celebrated players in the women’s game - To see so the women’s game to have come so far as to enable so many to participate in a World Cup -and the second question would be around [inaudible 13:58] last ODI World Cup – what are the expectations that you have for that and how important is it for you to see a women’s tournament?
Meg: Yeah, I think firstly on mums and babies on tour, I think it's a sign of where the game is out, it's grown a lot and the opportunity to keep key players involved in the game with the processes and, and plans that are in places is great - for us having Riley and Jess on board with us. Megan, Megan Schutt’s babies. So yeah, that's been a great distraction at times for us to be honest, just to be able to spend some time with her and, you know, just, I guess, have a little bit of a different perspective on things. So I think it's a great thing. It's been really embraced within our squad, which, which is really nice. And we look forward to next few weeks while you're on tour with us. And in terms of Rachel Haynes - She's been incredible over the time that she's come back into the team. She's a very important part of our squad on and off the field. For me personally, she's been incredible and, you know, really does make my job a lot easier. So, yeah, she comes in, in good form. You know, she's an important part of the team. She's going to play an important role for us. If we are to win this World Cup, and I can't really see her stopping anytime soon, to be honest. She's fit. She's strong. She's playing well, when she's playing important role for the team. So yeah, we'll see what happens after this World Cup. But yeah, I could see them playing for a long time down the track.
Reporter: Thanks guys.