With long-time captain Alyssa Healy's return from injury still clouded, the allrounder wants to put her own spin on the captaincy when they host India in a 50-over clash in Brisbane on Thursday.
Healy hurt her foot during the T20 World Cup and is in camp with the team in Brisbane recovering from a knee injury after missing the entire WBBL campaign.
She has been named to return for a three-match ODI series against New Zealand in Wellington this month, before the Ashes series begins in Sydney on January 12.
"It's the first time I've had a full series as captain ... every time you get to lead is exciting, and I like to put my own spin on it," McGrath said on Wednesday of her approach to taking on the captaincy.
"I'm more of a quieter leader; lead from the front, small conversations, and I think my biggest strength in leadership is my calmness."
Australia's last 50-over cricket was in Bangladesh in March, with this three-game series the launching pad for their World Cup defence in India next year.
"We've played a lot of T20 cricket, (but) not too much changes," McGrath said.
"We like to take the game on, play positively, and it's just more time to do that.
"They (India) have got superstars ... always hard-fought and crucial key moments in every game, and while we're at home we're expecting a lot of India support.
"We want to win that World Cup ... it starts tomorrow."
Georgia Voll's form in the WBBL has earned her a call-up to the Australian one-day squad. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
In-form Queensland batter Georgia Voll has replaced Healy for the India series, which continues in Brisbane on Sunday and concludes in Perth on Wednesday.
"It's been a while since we've had a fresh face ... she's been knocking down the door for a while. She's more than ready," McGrath said.
Australia's ODI series against India and New Zealand form part of the ICC Women's Championship, with Australia currently first in the standings.
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