Australia have opened their women's world basketball championship campaign with a comfortable 90-57 win over Cuba in Istanbul.
Led by brilliant captain Penny Taylor, the Opals on Saturday provided a strong early indication they would be able to overcome the pre-tournament loss of star Liz Cambage to injury.
Taylor had a game-high 20 points while there were a number of strong contributors among a new-look Opals squad.
Australia, ranked second in the world, can take another step towards topping Group C when they meet South Korea on Sunday.
Coach Brendan Joyce had identified Opals great Taylor as the player capable of filling the gaping hole left by injured stars Cambage and Lauren Jackson in Turkey.
After two years cruelled by her own injury woes, 33-year-old Taylor bounced back to win a WNBA title with Phoenix this season and she carried her form on to the world stage.
The 2006 world championship MVP was close to unstoppable in a rollercoaster first half.
Cuba made an encouraging start with the opening three points but the Opals soon asserted their authority, reeling off 22 unanswered points as they ran up a 23-6 lead at quarter-time.
However Americas champions Cuba responded strongly in the second quarter, with star Yamara Amargo (19 points) finding her range to help cut the deficit to 45-31 at halftime.
Australia regained control after the main break, with veteran guard Belinda Snell lethal from outside the arc to help the Opals to a 30-point lead heading into the final quarter.
The final term was more evenly contested but Australia were never threatened as Joyce took the opportunity to give his squad players some valuable court time.
Rachel Jarry (13 points), Snell (11) and Cayla Francis (11) all had double-figure contributions while American convert Leilani Mitchell impressed with eight assists.
The Opals will also face Belarus on Tuesday with first place in the three-team group earning automatic progression to the last eight.
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