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AAP
AAP
Sport
Joel Gould

Wade credits England for Aussie turnaround

Matthew Wade says Australia have copied England's blueprint on how to play Twenty20 cricket. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade credits England with providing "the lightbulb moment" for changing the way the side approaches Twenty20 cricket and ultimately winning last year's World Cup.

The 34-year-old, speaking ahead of the three-match T20 series with England which starts in Perth on Sunday, reflected on an eight-wicket thrashing Australia received in the World Cup group stage last year where England chased 125 for victory and polished the target off inside 12 overs.

Ever since, Australia have adopted a more aggressive approach themselves, which served them well in last year's final where they chased down 172 against New Zealand.

Wade said he still regarded England as "the benchmark" in T20 cricket ahead of the World Cup which starts later this month.

"In the World Cup game (in 2021) they demolished us and that kind of changed the way we went about playing T20 cricket from that point onwards," he said.

"We've been playing a different style of cricket since. That was the real lightbulb moment for the team that we needed to change the way we were playing.

"It will be good to match up against them and see how we go harder with the bat. We play seven batters and know that we can get a lot more runs. You need to be able to score 180 to 200 runs to beat the England team."

Wade has proven himself to be a selfless team man, moving down the order to bat at No.7 after an extended stint opening.

He has fashioned himself into a superb finisher and got Australia home with a ball to spare in the three-wicket win over the West Indies on the Gold Coast on Wednesday.

"It has been really good (moving down the list) and is something that needed to come at that time," Wade said.

"I had opened a lot and we have a lot of good opening batters, with a lot more to come.

"Before the (2021) World Cup I went down to seven and enjoyed the challenge of something different. I am starting to learn that position the more I play and these three games will be important for me to build on what I have done these last twelve or eighteen months."

Australia will field a new-look side against England with star bowling quartet Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa among those staying behind to prepare for two further internationals against England in Canberra.

"In terms of getting towards the World Cup obviously Marcus Stoinis will be back around the group and Ashton Agars," Wade said.

"We are just waiting to see on their fitness and then start to lock down the eleven for the World Cup but that is the luxury we have got at the moment.

"We can have a look at a few different combinations as we already have."

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