Published: Jan 29, 2014, 05:36 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 29, 2014, 05:37 PM (IST)
Jan 29, 2014
Ravi Bopara’s stunning knock of 27-ball 65 not out went in vain as Australia trumped England by 13 runs in their first Twenty20 International at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Wednesday.
After putting up a huge target of 214, Australia kept the tourists to 200 for nine in 20 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Nathan Coulter-Nile was the key bowler for Australia with the figures of 4-0-30-4, as the star of England’s chase was Bopara.
He waged a lone battle with the bat, top-scoring with 65 runs off mere 27 balls. Bopara clobbered two boundaries and as many as seven sixes in his innings to provide his side some hope.
Earlier in the first innings, Cameron White and Aaron Finch slammed half-centuries to help Australia set a huge target of 214.
White and Finch put up a 106-run stand for the first wicket to put Australia in complete command over England, as the hosts gained command in the first game of the three-match series.
White scored a quick 43-ball 75 with the help of four sixes and six boundaries, whereas Finch slammed five boundaries and three sixes to score a rapid 52.
For England, Stuart Broad was the pick among the bowlers with one for 25 off his four overs.
Brief scores:
Australia 213 for 4 in 20 overs (Cameron White 75, Aaron Finch 52, Chris Lynn 37*; Stuart Broad 1 for 25) beat England 200 for 9 in 20 overs (Joe Root 32, Ravi Bopara 65*; Nathan Coulter-Nile 4 for 30, Moises Henriques 2 for 36) by 13 runs.
