Australia is number one in the world for women's cricket and — having recently thrashed Sri Lanka, England and the West Indies — the gulf between us and the rest seems to be widening.

Key points: Former captain Alex Blackwell wants the Australian team to be tested more often

Former captain Alex Blackwell wants the Australian team to be tested more often Australia's women have now won 18 ODI matches in a row to set a new record

Australia's women have now won 18 ODI matches in a row to set a new record All-rounder Ash Gardner said it was disappointing to see the gap between the best and the rest

We are running out of ways to describe the remarkable side and even those in the game fear audiences could taper off too.

"What I'd prefer to watch is when this team really does get tested in pressure situations, I'd like to see the other nations improve and keep up with this absolutely dominant team," former captain Alex Blackwell said.

The side has not been beaten in a one-day international (ODI) since October 2017 and broke the world record for the most consecutive women's ODI victories by beating Sri Lanka by nine wickets on Wednesday in Brisbane.

"They're just getting better and better, it's going to take a lot of commitment from the home boards and also the ICC (International Cricket Council) to ensure that that gap doesn't become inappropriate," Blackwell, who's currently captaining the WBBL's Sydney Thunder, said.

Alex Blackwell wants to make sure the gap does not widen any more. ( AAP: Joel Carrett )

Even the players want more of a challenge.

"Having just played Sri Lanka and the West Indies, it's really important to make sure the standard of the world game is still really high," current Australia captain Meg Lanning said.

"Cricket Australia's been leading the way, with our domestic competition and the Women's Big Bash League, there's certainly a role for the ICC to play in helping develop other cricketing nations," Lanning said.

Current international Ash Gardner also wants other countries to up their games.

"I'm glad I don't have to bowl to Alyssa Healy, I don't know where I'd be bowling to her," Gardner said.

Alyssa Healy is in almost unstoppable form with the bat. ( AAP: Glenn Hunt )

CA reaping the benefits of investment

Australia's female cricketers were given the biggest pay rise in the history of women's sport in 2017 — and it has paid off.

The new deal saw payments lifted from $7.5 million to $55.2 million, making the minimum retainer for an Australian representative $72,076.

"Rewards happen quickly when there's motivation, that should be obvious to other nations' boards," Blackwell said.

"If they want even a chance to compete with Australia it will require considered investment."

Other countries have come close to reducing the gap, but Australia is still number one. ( Reuters/Action Images: Lee Smith )

Gardner said she wanted to see a more level playing field.

"It's disappointing. Obviously there's quite a drop from the top four teams to the next four, but that comes back to those cricket boards wanting their women's teams to be better," she said.

England's efforts to keep up

The English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently invested 20 million pounds ($36.2 million) to help "close the gap with Australia", after the motherland was beaten 12-4 in this year's multi-format Ashes series.

That money will fund 40 new full-time professional contracts, in addition to the 21 international contracts currently.

"We are seeing the effects of professionalism. Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney — their success in the top order — that's what's possible when talent meets preparation and professionalism," Blackwell said.

New Zealand is following suit, in August, New Zealand Cricket increased salaries for top female cricketers to $80,000 per year, with 17 players contracted — while the Indian women's team are also receiving full-time wages.

New Zealand have made attempts to bridge the gap by offering increased wages. ( AAP: James Elsby )

All the while other countries, like Sri Lanka, are falling further behind.

Sri Lanka has only won two if its past 22 ODIs and one of 16 T20s.

"Sri Lanka isn't improving over time — it's not their fault, it's the support they're being provided with," Blackwell said.

"Players like Chamari Athapaththu has [improved] because she's played in the WBBL and the Super League in England."

Blackwell said the ICC needs to step up.

"The ICC must be witnessing this gap that's happening with Australia leading the way," she said.

"For world cricket to be strong the ICC needs to be considering more opportunities for competition, more game time."

The Australian women's cricket team are hot favourites to retain their T20 World Cup title on home soil in March. ( AP: Johnny Jno Baptiste )

And if they don't, the rest of the world could miss out.

"Now that cricket is part of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, the ICC should give some overarching, minimum standards of a home board in terms of resourcing and investing," Blackwell said.

Now in its fifth year, the WBBL starts next week and, for the first time, the women will play in standalone games.

Nine teams play over 56 matches and a finals series.