Southern Stars out to bounce back at MCG

The Southern Stars are desperate to level their Twenty20 series against India, knowing confidence will be key at the upcoming World Cup.

Australia have won the past three women's T20 World Cups, two of which have been on the subcontinent.

India will host the tournament for the first time in March-April, adding another level of intrigue to the ongoing three-match bout.

Australia, after a shock five-wicket loss on Australia Day, face a rare series loss if they can't get the job done on Friday in Melbourne.

"They're a much-improved side. It seems as if they've had a lot of focus on T20 cricket," veteran Alex Blackwell said on Thursday.

"They outplayed us.

"We're the No.1 team in the world in all three formats .. they've started well and we're hopeful of bouncing back at the MCG."

Blackwell, who has played 116 ODIs and made her international debut in 2003, acknowledged there was more at stake than simple bragging rights.

"It's really important against the host nation, which will be India, that we gain a lot of confidence (before the World Cup)," the right-hander said.

"Hopefully, we can win this T20 series and win two games back to back.

"That'd give us a lot of confidence."

Blackwell highlighted smarter batting against spin and better short-pitched bowling as two areas of focus after India hauled in a target of 141 with eight balls remaining.

"There was no complacency ... they had a very good game and we also had a good game in parts," she said.

"We need to ... really make sure a bouncer is a true bouncer.

"We need to find the boundary a little bit more frequently, more in the middle overs."