England v Australia: Revitalised Wright is keen to play vital role for England

Wright has not played a 50-over match in England colours since their World Cup quarter-final exit to Sri Lanka in March 2011.

But he has been given the chance to add to his 46 ODI caps in the upcoming matches against Ireland and Australia following the decision to rest the core of England’s Ashes winners.

England’s selectors have been criticised for omitting the likes of captain Alastair Cook and James Anderson, but it presents an opportunity for players on the periphery such as Wright to push their claims as preparations start to begin for the World Cup in 18 months.

“It is a massive series for myself,” he said.

“It’s something we have worked for for a long time. Since I got injured and lost my place I have been desperate to get back into it.

“It is an opportunity to stake a claim. There is a World Cup in 2015 and whenever you are in front of the selectors it’s a huge series.”

Wright has been in good form for England in Twenty20 cricket, where he remains a first choice, and captained the England Lions in their recent 3-0 series win over Bangladesh A.

Wright most notably smashed an unbeaten 143, from 68 balls, in the first game of that series – and just days after a century for Sussex against Holland – to demand the attention of the selectors.

They duly responded with his long-awaited call-up, for a one-off match against Ireland tomorrow before a five-game series against Australia, along with five uncapped players.

Those changes have cast the upcoming games as an audition for the fringe players to prove they should remain when England’s stars return to duty this winter in Australia.

“It’s about taking your chance,” Wright said.

“I am sure those guys will come back in at some stage but it’s about taking your opportunities when you get them.

“Ultimately, you want to be in that next squad when it comes to going to Australia and then each one going on to the World Cup.

“The only way to do that is to take your chance.”

Wright admits that he is unsure, however, what role he will be asked to play as he bids to earn his place back.

The 28-year-old often found himself shunted up and down the order in his initial spell in the team, at one stage being used as an opener.

He has made a home for himself at No 3 in Twenty20 cricket, but batted at five for the England Lions.

“We will have meetings over the next few days. It’s two different squads as well so whether I play two different roles I am not too sure,” he said.

“I honestly don’t mind (where he bats). I have been up and down the order and it gives me a chance to sneak into the side if they need someone at six, seven or to open.

“Against Bangladesh A I came in at five and scored some runs, so that gave me confidence and I am pretty relaxed.

“I am 28 now and I feel like I know my game pretty well. I have had a really good year for Sussex.”

Wright scored 30 at Chester-le-Street on Saturday as England squared the Twenty20 series against Australia in the second and final game, winning by 27 runs.

Alex Hales was the home side’s hero when he fell just short of a record-breaking century, hitting 94, from 61 balls, as he missed the chance to become the first England batsman to score an international Twenty20 century for the second time in his short career.

The 24-year-old opener was agonisingly a single run short of a century against the West Indies at Trent Bridge last year, but appeared set to make up for that disappointment after a flying start.

Hales combined in a 111-run stand with former Yorkshire regular Michael Lumb (43) – a record opening partnership for England against Australia. But he was denied his moment when he holed out in the deep in the penultimate over from James Faulkner.

It was, however, still a match-defining performance as England’s 195-5 proved enough, despite 53 from David Warner, who surprisingly found himself later dropped for the forthcoming one-day series, with coach Darren Lehmann citing that the left-hander lacked form in the 50-over format.

Jade Dernbach (3-23) was on a hat-trick late in Australia’s response as he returned England’s best figures for the second consecutive match.

“If someone offered you 94 at the start of the day you’d definitely take it,” said Hales, who along with Wright qualified for an ECB incremental contract following his appearance.

“They bowled pretty well at me and I didn’t really get going once I got past 80. They bowled nicely to me at the death. I didn’t really have much choice but to keep going. It was down to the last couple of overs. I was a little bit frustrated not to get over the line.”

Captain Stuart Broad was full of praise for his Nottinghamshire team-mate Hales, who has now scored six Twenty20 half-centuries in 21 games for England.

“If you get one of your top three to get 90 like ‘Baz’ did then it’s what you want,” he said. “Everyone who has watched Twenty20 cricket knows that if any of your top three goes and gets over 80 you stand a great chance of winning the game.

“With the strikers we’ve got later – the likes of Morgan, Buttler and Bopara – if we get a good start you’re in a great position.”

Despite Thursday’s defeat, when Aaron Finch’s world-record 156 inspired Australia’s first win over England this summer, the hosts named an unchanged line-up for the second match.

With seven games to go before next year’s World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, Broad suggested consistency in selection would benefit the side before then.

“At international level I’ve found during my career that if you get a bit of consistency in a team and feel backed as a player then you are going to prosper,” he said.