Glenn McGrath has urged Australia to learn from England's success and play a more "fearless" brand of white-ball cricket following their disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup.
Australia were widely considered the favourites to win the tournament, given it was a home World Cup and they were defending champions. However, they were thrashed by 89 runs in their opening game against New Zealand and failed to qualify for the semi-finals due to a poor net run rate.
England, meanwhile, hit their stride after a slow start and thrashed India in the semi-finals before beating Pakistan by five wickets to win the tournament. And Australia legend McGrath believes they need to learn from their Ashes rivals.
"The Australian team always played fearless cricket," he told the Australian Associated Press. "I wonder now if they are playing with more fear of losing. You just have to go out and back yourselves.
"That is the brand of cricket England are playing at the moment. When you play that brand of cricket things tend to go your way more.
"I always say, if you can get players to go out there and play without fear, it's amazing what you can achieve. You still have to play intelligent cricket... Don't go out and throw caution to the wind with shots that aren't there.
"It's about getting that balance right, and that is where the Aussies need to get back to. England are chancing their arm and riding their luck, it can get a bit ugly at times if things don't work out for you. But I'd much rather teams just back themselves."
Despite being full of praise for England, McGrath does not believe they are the greatest white-ball team ever, even though they are the first men's team to simultaneously hold both World Cups.
McGrath instead believes the Australia side he played in that won three consecutive 50-over World Cups was better. "I would have to disagree with [England being the best]," he added.
"There have been some quality and amazing teams over the years. I would like to say we could give them a decent run for their money, if not better than that. But they're pretty handy this English unit, as much as it pains to me to say."
