Matthew Wade says a crushing defeat to England in the last T20 World Cup was a “lightbulb moment” for Australia as the two sides prepare to do battle in a three-match series.
England thrashed Australia by eight wickets with 50 balls to spare in the T20 World Cup group stage last year, but Aaron Finch’s side went on to win the title for the first time.
Australia opted to go with a longer line-up after that crushing defeat instead of picking five bowlers and reaped the rewards, beating New Zealand in the final.
The holders begin the defense of their crown on home soil against the Black Caps at the SCG on October 22, but before that they face an England side who are among the favorites to dethrone them.
Wade thinks the way they were dismantled by England was a “turning point”.
He said ahead of the series opener at Perth Stadium: “They destroyed us in the World Cup. It was probably a turning point for the way we play to play T20s.
“We had to start going a little harder, especially toward the top, and then finish it with seven shots. We stuck to that formula after they destroyed us in the World Cup.
“So we’re looking forward to playing them and seeing if our style of play [continues to work] – since then [it] it’s changed a little bit and hopefully we can go blow for blow with them.
“We’ve got seven shots now – we’ve been playing six shots for a long time … but now we’ve got the power and we’ve got the depth of batting that I think you need to go with a team like England. You need to be in able to score 200 to beat them on their day.”
Captain Jos Buttler returns from a calf injury to lead England and Test captain Ben Stokes is back after missing the 4-3 series win in Pakistan, but Liam Livingstone (ankle) remains sidelined.
England have won four of the last five T20Is between the bitter rivals, but Australia have been victorious in seven of the last eight contests on home soil.
Smith in the spotlight
Australia completed a 2-0 whitewash of the West Indies at The Gabba on Friday, but Steve Smith was lost once again as he fell for 17.
The former captain hasn’t scored a T20I half-century since November 2019 and could make some runs against England.
With Tim David staking his claim for a place in the side and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis returning, Smith is in the limelight.
Hales and salt are fighting for the opening of the bed
Buttler’s return to the top of the order means England will have to choose between Alex Hales and Phil Salt for the other opening slot.
Hales made a half-century on his long-awaited return to England in the first match of the series against Pakistan, but fell below 20 on three occasions.
Salt blasted a stunning unbeaten 88 off 41 balls in the sixth T20I in Lahore, but it remains to be seen whether he will retain his place.
