BRIDGETOWN (Web Desk) – Australia set a huge target and defended it brilliantly as they beat defending champions England by 36 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Bridgetown, Barbados.
England managed 165-6 in response to a huge total of 201-7.
The old enemies met in a high-octane Group B clash and Mitchell Marsh led his side to a thumping win.
Earlier, Australia set a sizeable target against England at Bridgetown in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – reaching 201-7 off their 20 overs.
All their batters reached double figures, led by openers Travis Head and David Warner, who got them to 70 within six overs.
BIG HITTING FROM WARNER AND HEAD
Australia were hitting out from the off, while England looked wobbly in the field.
David Warner was first to fall, bowled by Moeen Ali for 39 off just 16 balls – but by that point Australia were already on 70 after five overs.
Fellow opener Travis Head made 34 off 18 balls, and was removed in the next over by Jofra Archer.
Jos Buttler could see the match running away from his side and mixed up the bowling, which paid dividends, with Liam Livingstone removing Mitchell Marsh for 35, stumped by the captain-wicketkeeper himself.
And three balls later, Adil Rashid tempted Glenn Maxwell into a midwicket shot straight into the safe hands of Phil Salt, out of 28.
Chris Jordan got his first wicket when his width lured Tim David to sky into the hands of Livingstone by the rope.
The final over was made more difficult for England as their slow rate was penalised and they had to bring in an extra fielder.
But that did not stop Jordan from taking the 100th wicket of his T20 international career, removing Marcus Stoinis for 30 with a catch from Harry Brook.
England had won the toss and elected to bowl first in the match. The Australian batsmen went on the offensive from the start, with Travis Head 34 off 18 balls and David Warner 39 off 16 balls, followed by brilliant batting from Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stones and set the pace. Scored 201 runs in overs.
The stormy batting of the Kangaroos made easy mistakes for the English bowlers, for England Chris Jordan took two wickets while Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer and Moeen Ali took one wicket each.
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Both teams have played one match each in the tournament, England’s first match against Scotland was inconclusive due to rain while Australia defeated Oman by 39 runs in their first match.
SQUADS
AUSTRALIA: 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh (captain), 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Matt Wade (wicket), 7 Tim David, 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazelwood
ENGLAND: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (captain and wicket), 3 Will Jacques, 4 Jonny Bairstow, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Liam Livingstone, 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Jordan, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark Wood.
