'Don't want to underestimate anyone' at World T20 – Rachael Haynes

Australia won the second of their three Twenty20 Internationals against Pakistan on Saturday, 27 October, to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. That gives them a bit of an edge, as the three-time T20 world champions start their campaign at the World T20 against Pakistan.

The Southern Stars have now had a good look at their opponents' game.

"They really change gears in ODI cricket and coming into the T20s," said Haynes of Pakistan after the second T20I. "They are quite aggressive and a really dangerous side.

"We do not want to underestimate anyone in our four matches [in the World T20 group stage]. It's been pretty nice to get a little bit of an insight in this series, but slightly different conditions in the Caribbean."

The Australian bowlers were right on the money in the second T20I, bundling Pakistan for just 101 in 19.5 overs. Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham returned three wickets apiece, breaking the spine of Pakistan's batting order with their impressive performances.

"I think not just in these matches but even the New Zealand series as well, we saw them just step into the team, it was really seamless," Haynes said of the young duo. "To see them really go on with it this series, I think those are really promising signs heading into the World Cup.

"I think our bowling group's been really good, they've been really resilient too. Pakistan came at us a little bit at the start there but we stuck to our guns and I think it was really impressive.

"We saw different people stand up which was really good, to see young 'Wolfy' (Wareham) get Player of the Match for the first time was really cool."

Australia were expected to cruise to the 102-run target without any real hiccups but found themselves in a tricky situation at 62/4 halfway through the chase. However, middle-order batters Elyse Villani and Ellyse Perry, with their unbeaten efforts, saw the top-ranked T20I team past the finish line with three overs to spare.

"When you get to knockout cricket, it's about finding a way to win a game and our batters got through that tonight," pointed out Haynes, who was slotted to bat next. "It was a little bit tricky, the ball was skidding through, so you had to play nice and straight.

"It was pretty tough when the bowlers bowled on the stumps but Elyse and Ellyse coming in at the end there and having a good partnership was really good."

Initially, the game was scheduled for a 10am start, but the teams decided to shift it to the night to get used to playing under lights ahead of the World T20, where there are a couple of games slated for evening starts.

"It was great both countries were able to come together and organise that, it's great preparation for the World Cup," Haynes acknowledged. "It was quite humid at the start and our bowlers were getting a little bit of swing early with the new ball.

"There's always a little bit of adjustment once it gets darker but I thought our girls did really well today."