Australia Beat England in 1st T20I

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 for 22 and Adil Rashid impressive for his 1 for 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.