England hang on to defeat Australia in high-scoring encounter

Half-centuries from Jos Buttler and Alex Hales catapulted England to a sizeable total of 208 for 6 but runs from David Warner (73 off 44) and Marcus Stoinis (35 off 15) set up a nervy finish in Perth

Perth: England 208-6, Australia 200-9 - England won by eight runs

Scorecard

England held on to defeat Australia in the first T20I in Perth, successfully defending 208 despite being given a considerable scare by David Warner and Marcus Stoinis.

Had Australia succeeded, it would have been the highest chase against England in a T20I. England's bowlers, however, led by Mark Wood (3 for 34), had just enough in the tank to get over the line and take a 1-0 series lead.

Alex Hales (84 off 51) likely confirmed his place in the starting XI with a blistering half-century and shared a 132-run opening stand with Jos Buttler in 11.2 overs. The skipper marked his return to the XI with a blockbuster 68 (32).

It was Nathan Ellis, not currently involved in Australia's T20 World Cup plans, who eventually broke their partnership, having Buttler caught at mid-off by Kane Richardson.

^{Alex Hales top-scored for England with 84 off 51 [James Worsfold/Getty Images]}

Ben Stokes, in his first T20 international since March 2021, was promoted to No.3 but looked rusty before being dismissed for nine and wickets fell regularly in the final six overs, England closing on 208 for 6.

Ellis (3 for 20) was masterful amongst the carnage, doing his hopes of a late World Cup call-up no harm.

In reply, Reece Topley (2 for 36) struck almost immediately, removing Cameron Green (yet another player not in the World Cup squad) for one in the second over.

Warner (73) and Mitchell Marsh (36), the key partnership of Australia's 2021 World Cup win, played a crucial hand once more, keeping up with the rate before Adil Rashid made a welcome breakthrough. The spinner bounced back from being pumped for six off his first delivery to remove Marsh clean bowled.

Halfway through the chase, Australia required 11.3 runs an over with eight wickets in hand but this got trickier after Aaron Finch was run out in the 11th.

Stoinis blasted 35 off 15 to put Australia in control before Wood got him and Tim David in the same over to wrestle back control.

He picked up his third with his final ball of the match, Warner audibly groaning as he holed out to Hales in the 17th, before a miserly 19th over from Topley left Australia requiring 16 off 6 - a target which ultimately proved too steep.