Alex Hales and Jos Buttler blasted half-centuries to lead England to an eight-run win over Australia on Sunday in the first of three warm-up games before the T20 World Cup starts later this month. England powered to 208/6 after losing the toss, a commanding total which proved too much for Australia despite a gallant 44-ball 73 from David Warner. The world champions scored 200/9 in their 20 overs, disappointing a 25,755-strong crowd starved of international cricket for nearly three years due to strict border controls in Western Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. As it happened: Australia vs England, 1st T20I"The way we defended our score was outstanding," said man-of-the-match Hales. "It looked like the game was getting away from us, so to drag it back like that was really impressive." Fresh off a 4-3 series win against Pakistan, England welcomed Buttler (68 off 32 balls) and firebrand Ben Stokes back into the team as they look to settle their line-up. Buttler showed no rustiness overcoming a calf injury, blasting 16 off seamer Cameron Green in the first over.
