Auckland, Mar 20 (Reporter) Australia skipper Tahlia McGrath, who has stepped into the leadership role in the absence of regular captain Alyssa Healy, is relishing the opportunity to guide the team alongside vice-captain Ash Gardner. “I’m really excited for the opportunity to lead the side again," McGrath told reporters ahead of the first T20I here at Eden Park. "I always enjoy working with Ash Gardner as vice-captain as well, and for us as a group, just really excited to kick off what's been a long season for us and hopefully finish on a high with a series win over here in New Zealand," McGrath said. With Australia’s attention largely on the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India later this year, the three T20Is present a unique challenge to McGrath’s side. However, the skipper sees them as a valuable chance to refine their approach in the shortest format. “It’s an odd one for us. Just three T20s at this stage, with our focus being at a 50-over World Cup and also a bit of a break," she said. “But it's also a really good opportunity for us, with not many T20s on the international schedule before the World Cup coming up soon. Every time we get to pull on the Australian shirt, it's always a really good opportunity to go out there and keep getting better as a group,” McGrath said. Australia come into the series on the back of a thumping Women's Ashes series sweep against England, where they came out on top in every single game across the three formats, an ICC report said. McGrath expects a stern challenge from a near full-strength New Zealand side, with T20 World Cup winning big names, Sophie Devine, Melie Kerr and Lea Tahuhu making a return to the White Ferns’ squad. “They’re pretty much back at full strength, New Zealand. We're expecting a really hard-fought contest, hopefully a nice crowd being double headers, and hopefully a few Aussies in the crowd. But we're going to have to be at our best," she said. "They've got some world-class players - Devine, Kerr, Tahuhu - all back in the side, and superstars throughout their list. We're going to be at our best and really looking forward to the challenge. Just can’t wait to get started tomorrow,” McGrath said. Australia have built a reputation for playing an aggressive and fearless brand of cricket over the years, an approach that has fetched them global honours over the years, and McGrath intends to continue. “We’re always talking about how we can get better. There is no limit to our game. Really looking forward to taking the game on, playing our style, playing our brand of cricket, and like I said, finishing the season on a high is what's in front of mind for most of us,” she said. “Brave, fearless, aggressive. We bat so deep that we can showcase our talent, play with no fear, knowing that if it doesn't come off, there's someone ready to walk out to the wicket to do the job. And same with the ball - attacking field sets, attacking mindset, aggressive nature. And yeah, just trying to push the game forward as much as we can,” McGrath said. The series opener will mark a significant milestone for Beth Mooney, who is set to play her 200th international match for Australia, and McGrath was full of praise for the wicketkeeper-batter’s immense contribution to the team. “Crazy milestone for Moons [Beth Mooney]. 200 games representing your country is a very special achievement," she said. “She’s the ultimate consistent performer. She gets us off to a brilliant start every time with the bat. She flies under the radar a bit, and she stepped up for us this year with the gloves, and has played a really good role for us there," McGrath said. “She’s a great team person, always looking out for her teammates. I’m really excited to take the field with her tomorrow and celebrate such a special milestone,” McGrath said. With several in-form players in the squad, Australia faces the enviable challenge of fitting a wealth of talent into the playing XI. McGrath was particularly excited for some of the newer names in the setup. “It’s a blessing and a curse when you got so much talent in the squad and you're trying to fit it into 11," she said. “Really excited for Volly [Georgia Voll], who, every time she's put on the Australian shirt, she's shown why she’s capable at this level. Really excited for Nick [Nicole Faltum], her first Australian tour, she’s slotted in straight away, like she's been part of the group forever," McGrath said. "So much opportunity with people to play potentially some different roles and stand up at different points throughout the series,” she added...////...