As a means of playing freely at the T20 World Cup, Australia coach Sophie Molineux has urged her players to make the most of their lack of international recognition. Ash Gardner, Australia's vice captain, stated last week that the reigning champions, New Zealand, were under all the pressure. Molineux stated that her team would relish the opportunity to demonstrate their progress when they open their campaign against South Africa on Saturday at Old Trafford. She was speaking as the 12 team captains gathered on Waterloo Bridge in London for the official event launch of the International Cricket Council. Molineux stated, "I think it can free us up if we harness that," when asked about the team's decision to enter the tournament without a title to defend for the first time since 2018. "The last couple of World Cups we've learnt a whole lot from that and been able to implement a few things. "In the past few months and even before that, I have the impression that we have really developed as a team. So I'm really excited and I think the girls are really hungry to get out there and be able to put that in place. For the big moments that will occur in the coming weeks, I don't think there is a better venue than the World Cup." At the start of this year, Molineux, a left-arm spinner, was chosen to succeed the retired Alyssa Healy. She played as a batter only on Australia's tour of the Caribbean in March after she was struck down by back pain during the home series against India and a stress reaction was detected. But careful management has her "ready and firing to go" after bowling in both Australia's completed warm-up games to date against South Africa at Arundel, where she took 2 for 17 and 1 for 16. And she is keen to make her mark as a calm, caring captain who can get the most out of the enviable talent, knowledge and skill in her team to "go to another level". She stated, "As a person and a leader, I'd like to be calm." "I also care a lot about this team and the people in it, first and foremost that the people in the environment feel like they can be themselves. That's been a big thing coming in. "There are all the ingredients for us. We now have the stage and the chance to demonstrate that over the next few weeks. The girls are really hungry to be able to do that. I can't wait to see what this group can accomplish." Australia's women's team have played just once at Old Trafford, a drawn Test with England in 1976, so they will be relying on the vast experience within their squad from playing in English domestic cricket and the Hundred for intelligence on conditions. "We've spoken about this a little bit," Molineux said. "In England, our squads have a lot of experience. Players like Grace Harris have spent a lot of time out here and a lot of runs in England as well. We will absolutely need to rely on that and ensure that all of that information is utilized." Australia play two more warm-up games, against England on Monday and West Indies on Wednesday, both in Cardiff. Instead of focusing more on exploring combinations through the middle order and exposing a variety of players to English conditions, they will be looking to field sides more similar to the XI that will walk out into the middle in Manchester there. Managing the depth of Australia's spin stocks will be a challenge - albeit a nice one to face - with Molineux a lock as captain, match-winning allrounder Gardner and legspinners Georgia Wareham and Alana King. Molineux has also been pleased with her seamers during the practice games so far. Molineux stated, "It was good to see Lucy Hamilton get involved in the action in Arundel and bowl really well." "Knowing that Annabel Sutherland and Ellyse Perry can bowl is just nice. They were bowling in the powerplay. "We had our leggies bowling… Kingy bowled really well in the West Indies and was able to take a lot of wickets but Wolf's played an amazing role in both the attacking and defensive bowling roles. It's going to be tough. There will be a shortage of spots. "That's all you can ask for as a captain and a coach is the ability to have difficult conversations about who gets picked for each game."