'Trying to bowl faster and flatter' - Jonassen

Jess Jonassen has returned to the Australia women's side with a rehabilitated left knee and a fresh approach to spin bowling. The 23-year old had undergone surgery in April, after the Women's World T20, and one of her main objectives was "playing pain-free," as her team prepared for their limited-overs series against Sri Lanka in Dambulla and Colombo.

"I've been working a fair bit with Joey Dawes, our bowling coach," Jonassen said on the eve of the first ODI, "Just trying to get a bit more momentum through the crease, a bit more energy and just to try and bowl a little bit faster and flatter. That seems to be coming on nicely and I'm looking forward to putting it in some of the games here in Sri Lanka and hopefully getting a lot of turn out of the wicket."

Australia haven't played 50-over cricket since February 2016, and haven't been together as a team since losing their T20 title to West Indies in April.

"It's been a long time since our last ODI, since our last tour as well. So I think everyone's really eager to get out there. We had a good hit out just before and we're ready for tomorrow."

Sri Lanka's coach Lanka de Silva had said he hoped to unsettle Australia with spin and Jonassen might expect to face the worst of it batting in the middle-order. Not the easiest welcome back to international cricket, on pitches that had been very dry and spinner-friendly when the men had been touring the country recently. Jonassen did not feel the need to think about such complications too much.

"I back my ability and wherever I come in in the order, I'm just looking to try and score runs and play to my strengths. Trying to keep it nice and simple. It doesn't really matter what the equation is in the game. I'm just looking to try and do my best and stick to what I know."

Three of the four ODIs in the series were part of the ICC women's championship. Australia top the table with 12 wins from 15 matches.