A new-look England side slumped to a 28-run defeat by Australia in the first T20 international at Utilita Bowl.
Australia made a blistering start, with Travis Head smashing 59 from 23 balls as he and opening partner Matthew Short put on 86 in the first six overs.
But England, who handed T20 debuts to three players and were captained by Phil Salt for the first time, produced a superb fightback to bowl the tourists out for 179.
The spinners led the way, with Liam Livingstone taking 3-22 and Adil Rashid impressive for his 1-23, while seamers Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood claimed two wickets apiece.
However, England's chase was in trouble early as three wickets went down in the powerplay.
Livingstone and Sam Curran gave them hope with a 54-run stand for the fifth wicket but when they departed in quick succession, England's long tail was exposed and they were bowled out for 151 in the final over.
The teams will now head to Cardiff for the second T20 on Friday before the three-match series concludes at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Australia’s openers marmalised the England seamers early on, the home fans only cheering ironically when a delivery was not dispatched to the boundary.
Short started the onslaught with back-to-back towering sixes off Reece Topley before Head – who successfully reviewed after being given out caught behind – went one better with three in a row as he pummelled 30 off a Curran over.
With long square boundaries at Southampton, England tried to bowl short but were punished time and again as Head raced to a 19-ball half-century – the fastest for Australia in T20s and the quickest against England in the format.
He fell to Mahmood from the last ball of the powerplay but Australia still appeared on for a monstrous total.
A much-changed England side turned to their most experienced bowler and Rashid delivered, bowling Mitchell Marsh in his first over.
Livingstone replaced Rashid as England clawed back control by bowling 10 straight overs of spin and the all-rounder had Short caught on the sweep off his second ball.
When Livingstone trapped Marcus Stoinis and Tim David lbw with back-to-back deliveries – both times on review – the hosts were right back in the game.
Josh Inglis kept Australia steady before he was bowled trying to reverse scoop Curran and it was left to Archer and Mahmood to mop up the tail.
Three yorkers in three balls brought three wickets, two for Archer and one for Mahmood - both of whom narrowly missed out on hat-tricks – and Adam Zampa was run out as the tourists failed to bat their overs.
Source: BBC
BDST: 1401 HRS, SEPT 12, 2024
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