England versus Australia 1st T20I: England register a thrilling win
The England bowlers produced an unlikely win to beat the
Australian side in the 1st T20I played at Ageas Bowl, Southampton on
Friday.
Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to field first. Jos Buttler looked in cracking form right from the word go putting pressure on Ashton Agar taking him for 16 runs including 2 sixes and 1 four. Pat Cummins was introduced into the attack by Finch and got the wicket immediately getting rid of Bairstow with a simple catch to Starc at short third man. Buttler and Bairstow added 43 runs.
Buttler played with intent and put the Aussies bowlers under
pressure. Dawid Malan started off his innings with a lovely boundary. At the
end of six overs, England scored 55 for 1.
After the power play over, Adam Zampa was bought into the
attack. After being smashed for 16 runs, Ashton Agar got the big wicket of Jos
Buttler who hit a short ball into the hands of Pat Cummins at deep mid-wicket.
Agar struck again to dismiss Tom Banton with a lovely running catch by Aaron
Finch at covers.
Aaron Finch planned worked as Glenn Maxwell got the wicket
of Eoin Morgan with a good catch by Steve Smith at long-on. On the other hand,
Dawid Malan looked impressive showing his class and kept the scoreboard
ticking. Maxwell made another important breakthrough getting rid of Moeen Ali
trying to reverse sweep and going into the hands of Zampa at a short third man.
The Australian bowlers impressed with their lines and
lengths. Dawid Malan completed his fifty off 37 balls. Malan gave England the
momentum by smashing Zampa for 18 runs in the 18th over. Kane
Richardson dismissed the dangerous Malan for a superb 66. Chris Jordan hit some
valuable runs to help the hosts post 162 for 7 at the end of 20 overs.
Chasing 163 runs to win, the explosive opening pair of David
Warner and Aaron made a flying start against Jofra Archer and Mark Wood hit bad
balls away for boundaries. Chris Jordan was bought into and Tom Curran was
bought into the attack but could not provide any breakthroughs. At the end of
six overs, Australia raced away to 55 for 0.
Warner and Finch looked in great touch with positive stroke
play against the England bowlers. Jofra Archer finally provided the breakthrough
getting rid of Finch hitting into the hands of Chris Jordan at mid-off. The
Australian openers put on 98 runs to lay a strong for a big win.
Warner took the charge from Finch and continued to play in
an attacking manner. On the other hand, Steve Smith showed his class making life
tough for the England bowlers. Warner completed his half-century off 37 balls.
With Australia looking on course, Adil Rashid struck in an over getting rid of
Smith and Glenn Maxwell. In the next over, Archer dismissed the inform Warner
to put the Aussies on the backfoot.
Mark Wood produced a stunning delivery to dismiss Alex Carey
making the match interesting. Chris Jordan gave away just 4 runs in the 19th
over tilting the favor of England. With 15 runs required to win, Stoinis hit a
six but Tom Curran held his nerves to help the hosts register an unlikely 2 run
win.
For his superb 66 off 43 balls, Dawid Malan was named the
man of the match. England takes a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. The second
match will be played at the same ground on 6th September.
England 162 for 7 in 20 overs ( Dawid Malan 66, Buttler 44,
Kane Richardson 2/13, Maxwell 2/14) beat Australia 160 for 6 in 20 overs (
David Warner 58, Finch 46, Adil Rashid 2/29, Archer 2/33) by 2 runs.
England beat Australia in a thriller to win the first T20I by 2 runs
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