England Produce Remarkable Fightback To Win First T20 Against Australia

Australia won the toss and opted to field in Southampton. (AFP)

The hosts got off to a great start as Jos Buttler (44 off 29) plundered 16 runs off Aston Agar in just the second over. (AFP)

Australia spinners Agar and Glenn Maxwell struck in the middle overs – making things difficult for Eoin Morgan’s side. (AFP)

Dawid Malan then continued his remarkably consistent form with a superb fifty. (AFP)

Finch scored 46, while Warner hit a half-century. (AFP)

Fast bowler Pat Cummins provided Australia a breakthrough when he removed Jonny Bairstow (8), who played second fiddle to Buttler in their 43-run opening stand. (AFP)

However, Malan’s 43-ball 66, studded with five fours and three maximums, propelled England to 162/7. (AFP)

But Steve Smith’s dismissal in the 15th over sparked a collapse that saw the visitors lose four wickets for nine runs. (AFP)

The second T20 will take place on Sunday (September 6). (AFP)

A target of 15 off six balls became five off one. But Marcus Stoinis, having hit a maximum off Tom Curran earlier in the over, failed to do the same as England won by two runs. (AFP)

In response, Australia showed no signs of rustiness in their first game since March as a magnificent 98-run partnership between David Warner and skipper Aaron Finch put them in command. (AFP)