Australian captain Meg Lanning says cricket's ongoing pay dispute won't distract her side from their World Cup defence despite a crucial deadline expiring mid-tournament.
Women players will be placed on temporary contracts until the end of the World Cup if a resolution isn't reached before the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) expires on June 30.
Australia's opening World Cup match is against the West Indies in Taunton on June 26, the first of seven group games between then and July 15.
Lanning insists the world No.1 team's focus will be solely on cricket whatever direction the row takes during the tournament.
"We won't be distracted at all," Lanning said on Thursday.
"It's definitely been spoken about, it's not something that you can hide away from.
"As a squad once we get over to the UK we're very keen to just focus on playing cricket. Our job and priority is to go over there and play really good cricket and win games."
Lanning said the women's side were united with all players behind their demand to keep a revenue-sharing model, the major sticking point in negotiations.
"We're not going to individualise any teams male or female. It's about all the players going forward," she said.
"We've been able to stay really strong and we'll continue to do that."
Lanning said she's comfortable leaving the Australian Cricketers' Association in charge of the negotiations while the players look to hone a more aggressive brand of cricket at the World Cup.
"Whether that's with the ball trying to take early wickets and making sure we put teams under pressure, or taking that extra risk with the bat to try and keep the scoreboard moving," Lanning said.
She said superstar all-rounder Ellyse Perry had returned to 100 per cent fitness after a torrid run with injury.
"It was a pretty major (hamstring) injury that she sustained in the WBBL," Lanning said.
"She's had some time to get over that and she's been in full training now with the squad. She's a very key member of our team."
Lanning said the growth of the women's game would create a more even playing field at the World Cup, with two or three teams no longer able to dominate.
"It's going to be a very tough tournament. There's a number of sides who can win," she said.
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