James Faulkner, Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa of Australia pose in front of the Himalayas ahead of their Twenty20 World Cup clash against New Zealand in Dharamsala, India.

Shane Watson made it clear Australia will bring loose lips and heavier bats to their Twenty20 World Cup scrap with the Black Caps on Friday.

The Black Caps set the tournament alight with their 47-run win over tournament favourites and hosts India on Wednesday.

But Watson is backing Australia's 4-1 T20 history against New Zealand as well as recent successes over the Black Caps to see them through the assignment in Dharamsala (10.30pm Friday start, NZ time).

He also made it clear the Australians will remind New Zealand of that.

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Tensions have spilled over regularly on the field in recent tras-Tasman clashes and that looks set to continue in Dharamsala at the foot of the Himalayas.

"Look, there's no doubt that the Kiwis always play very well. They always punch above their weight and they've been playing very good cricket, especially over the last couple of years," Watson told Australian media at the tournament in India.

"But knowing the history I've had playing against the Kiwis, we've always played very well against them as well and there's still quite a few players who are still there in that New Zealand team that know that history and have been involved in that history as well.

"We'll certainly be letting them know of that as well, because they're going to have to be at their absolute best to beat us.

"Knowing there's a good rivalry and a good history there in big games that I've been fortunate enough to be a part of against the Kiwis, hopefully (Friday's match) follows a similar route."

While the Black Caps are off to a flyer, Australia are desperate to do something similar in their tournament-opener.

"It's very difficult if you lost the first game but the way Twenty20 cricket goes as well, if you get onto a roll, you can be unstoppable," Watson said.

"It's not the absolute be all and end all if we lose the first game, I've seen so many tournaments I've played in that if you get on a roll at the right time and qualify, that's when a lot of teams win the tournaments. Most importantly, to take (off) the pressure to start off – it would be ideal if we put out a very good performance in the first."

And Watson revealed that some of the Australian top order have upgraded to heavier bats for the assignment.

They reason the extra willow provides more power and will be useful on the spin-friendly surfaces that New Zealand exploited so brilliantly in Napur.

"I know some guys like Steve Smith and Jimmy Faulkner and a lot of the other guys play with the weight a little bit, especially coming into Twenty20 cricket when you've got a good block of Twenty20 (matches)," Watson said.

"But everyone is a little bit different. I definitely (like it), especially coming to Indian conditions as well where the wickets at times can be a bit slower and a bit lower.

"It's more making sure I give myself the best chance (in these conditions). You need a little bit more behind your swing to be able to hopefully clear the fence.

"They are a little bit heavier so when you swing hard, which you have to in Twenty20 cricket, even if I'm unfortunate enough that I don't totally get it, there's still a chance of it still going over the fence, especially in smaller grounds."