Winning the semi is our focus at the moment, says Rachael Haynes

ICC Women's World T20 has reached it's knockout stage where Australia is all set to face the West Indies, who beat them in the last World T20 final in 2016. Ahead of the big day, Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes said that the team is fully prepared for their World T20 semi-final against Windies.



Being one of the best teams in the world, Australia were unable to win any trophies since 2014. In 2016, Windies beat them in a nail-biting match and claimed their maiden T20 World Cup in Kolkata; while India T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur's heroics thrashed Australia's dream of winning the 50-over World Cup last year.



"That's all in the past now," Haynes told the media. "If we were sitting back and thinking about that, I'd be a bit worried about our headspace. "We've been really positive all throughout this tournament. I think it's been really clear on how we want to play, how we want to execute."



"The other day it probably didn't quite come off as well as we would have liked but I think our team's in a really positive frame of mind, which is where you want to be heading into a semi-final."



Haynes shared that Windies can pose a great threat to their win and they are keeping a close eye on them. "We've kept track of what was going on (in Group A), they've got some very dangerous players as we've seen first hand in the past, so we'll definitely have to be on our game."



Along with in-form Deandra Dottin, captain Stafanie Taylor too is in a good form and has the ability to change the game on her own. She plays alongside Haynes for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League. "(Taylor's) a pretty dangerous player on her day with bat and ball, so we'll prepare for that. Obviously, I know her that pretty well from playing alongside her at the Thunder. Hopefully, we can get one up on her."



Australia have been in a great form throughout the year. Prior to the World T20, they have won against New Zealand and Pakistan. "I think we've brought that to life really well over last 12 or so months and you've seen our team go out and play with an aggressive style, back their skills and try to be really clear under pressure. We want to bring some of that to this game coming up against the West Indies. Our team is in such a great place, I feel really confident about that match," Haynes expressed.



Australia will host the next edition of the ICC World T20 in 2020. Winning this tournament will help them to keep their winning momentum on. "We've got big ambitions on how that (2020 World T20) will be, but we know all too well from last year's World Cup that we've got to win the semi first, so that's our focus at the moment."