England defeated Australia by 8 runs in a last-over thriller at the Perth Stadium on Sunday.
Both teams battled hard in the high-scoring contest till the very last over, but England ultimately prevailed to take a 1-0 series lead in the T20Is.
Earlier, Jos Buttler’s 68 and Alex Hales 84 help England post 208 on board in 20 overs.
AUS Vs ENG match highlights
Australia after winning the toss invited the visitors to bat first. However, the Australians were unaware of how well-prepared the English batters were for the match.
England’s white-ball skipper Jos Buttler, who returned to frame after almost a 50-break from cricket due to injury, made a solid start with an electrifying knock that set the tone for the visitors to set a huge target.
Buttler and Alex Hales added 132 for the first wicket in just 68 balls. Buttler was the one, who was most dangerous throughout the partnership, as he smashed eight fours and four maximums in his 212.50 strike rate knock of 68 off 32.
Hales, was also not so behind and played a knock 84 off 51 to strengthen his chances to open the innings for the side in T20 World Cup too.
Ben Stokes, was unable to score big this time and with an under 10 score. Harry Brook too failed to leave any impact in the series opener and left the crease after scoring just 12.
Chris Woakes provided the much-needed exploits with a four and a maximum to help England cross 200 mark.
The visitors, riding on brilliant knocks of Jos Buttler and Alex Hales posted 208 for 6 in 20 overs.
Nathan Ellis was pick of the bowler for the hosts. Ellis took 3 wickets and conceding just 20 runs in his spell of 4 overs.
Australia to chase 209 in 20 overs
Australia started the chase on a disappointed note with the destructive batter Cameron Green gone for 1.
David Warner and Mitchell Marsh kept the run-chase well within control. Both added 75 for the second wicket in 44 balls before Rashid bowled out Marsh for 36.
Finch once again failed to play a big knock and walked back after scoring just 12 off 7.
Marcus Stoinis tried his best to bring Australia back in game with his explosive 35 off just 15. His knock included two fours and three maximums. Tim David gone for duck.
Warner maintained his composure and continued to score runs for the team even as wickets were tumbling from one end.
However, as the pressure kept on rising, he didn’t remain long at the wicket and was caught at a score of 73.
Then came the hard-hitting Matthew Wade on crease and took the game into a last-over thriller. With 16 required off the final over, Wade smashed a four on the first ball of the final over, missed the second, and caught on third at deep mid-wicket by Stokes.
Australia needed 12 off the final 3 with their tail ender’s on crease. And they were unable to score that much as the hosts lost the game by 8 runs.
The second match of the series to take place at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday.
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