The absence of injured world No.1 batter Meg Lanning has left a void in the Australian women's cricket team, coach Matthew Mott admits.
But Mott has backed replacement skipper Rachael Haynes to help fill the gap for their Ashes title defence.
Australia appeared vulnerable before the month-long Ashes series, featuring a historic day-night Test against the World Cup winners, after skipper Lanning was ruled out by shoulder surgery.
Lanning's eight-month injury layoff was another blow for Australia who were reeling from a shock World Cup semi-final loss to India.
But Mott was confident NSW batter Haynes, 30, would step up when she took over the reins from Lanning in the series opener - Sunday's first ODI in Brisbane.
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"If you take the best player out of any team, it will leave a void," Mott told AAP.
"It's unfortunate for Meg but Haynes is a world-class player in her own right.
"I think we are pretty well covered.
"Overall, I think as a batting unit they will have to lift a little extra as a whole with Meg not there."
Haynes took over as captain for two games at the World Cup in England, as Lanning was nursed through the tournament due to her right shoulder injury.
Lanning still thrashed 328 runs at 82 for the tournament but was bowled for a duck in Australia's shock semi-final loss to India.
Lanning will also miss the WBBL but is expected to contest next year's Women's T20 World Cup in the West Indies.
Haynes leapfrogged her NSW Breakers skipper and national vice-captain Alex Blackwell and Sydney Sixers WBBL leader Ellyse Perry for the Aahes job.
Six-time winners Australia received a reality check when stunned in July by India via Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten 171.
"We learned some lessons from the World Cup, making sure our individual preparation is right and making sure we have contingency plans in place if things don't go to plan," Mott said.
Australia hope to complete their rain-hit Ashes lead-up on Friday with an intra-squad game.
A day after a tour match against Queensland Fire was called off without a ball bowled at Allan Border Field, their clash with a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane on Tuesday was abandoned again due to rain.
After winning the toss, Australia restricted CA XI to 3-113 after 31 overs before the heavens opened.
Heather Graham was 56 not out while Perry took 1-26 and Jess Jonassen 1-9.
The Ashes series is decided on a points system, with four points for a Test win and two for a draw, and two points for victories in one-day and Twenty20 internationals.
Australia play three ODIs, the maiden pink-ball Test at North Sydney Oval from November 9 and three T20Is.
