Colombo -Australia's near-flawless start to the campaign will make them firm favourites against a Pakistan side still searching for a settled look when the two mismatched teams face off in an ICC Women's World Cup match here on Wednesday.

Australia's sublime form has stood in contrast to the performances of other teams in the global showpiece event with the Alyssa Healy-led side being the only one so far to score a 300-plus total.

Another big score could be in the offing against a weak Pakistan side that has looked clueless against Bangladesh and India in the two previous matches.

Australia's massive 89-run win over Trans-Tasmanian rivals New Zealand after setting a 300-plus total showed how motivated the Southern Stars are as defending champions who are eyeing a record-extending eighth World Cup title.

Even though the likes of opener Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland have faltered, Ashleigh Gardner came up with a match-winning century against New Zealand in Indore to make it a one-sided contest in the end.

Backed by the pace of Annabel Sutherland and spin of Sophie Molineux, who has shaped up well for the slow sub-continent wickets, Australia will take the match against Pakistan to further streamline their strategy before taking on tougher teams like England, India and South Africa in the competition.

Their three-match ODI series against India has prepared them well for the grind on subcontinental wickets and it's unlikely that Pakistan, who have lost to Bangladesh and India and are currently placed last in the eight-team tournament, will trouble them here.

Australia's abandoned match against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Saturday though would have come as a dampener given that it robbed them of the opportunity to earn two points and go top of the charts.

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