The task facing England was too great in the end, as Jos Buttler’s side were well beaten in Bridgetown. The weather may have improved after the rain-soaked affair in their opener against Scotland, but England’s fortunes took a downturn in their ultimately fruitless chase of Australia’s total of 201. After a first-wicket stand of 70, England failed to continue that momentum in a heavy defeat.
England’s wait for a first win at the T20 World Cup continued after a 36-run defeat to Australia in their second group match in Barbados.
It was a sobering afternoon for Jos Buttler’s side, following on from their rained-off opener against Scotland on Tuesday.
Australia’s blistering start played a big part in the outcome, as Travis Head and David Warner put on a 70-run stand in a mere 4.5 overs on route to a sizeable total of 201 to chase.
Warner was Australia’s top run scorer with 39, which included two fours and four sixes, until Mooen Ali made the breakthrough to finally make inroads into the Australian top order.
Head followed for 34 with a superb delivery from Jofra Archer which took out middle stump, as England looked to build some momentum.
That momentum was kyboshed in a third-wicket stand of 65 in a shade over eight overs to leave Australia in a commanding position, until Mitchell Marsh was stumped and given his marching orders following an umpire review.
Glenn Maxwell was next to go off the bowling of Adil Rashid, as Phil Salt made a straightforward catch out at deep midwicket.
Chris Jordan’s bowling dispatched Tim David and Marcus Stoinis, before Pat Cummins was run out to give England a sizeable task.
England were left needing 202 runs to win and required a fast start, which Buttler and Salt delivered with an impressive first-wicket stand of 73.
A daunting chase appeared more manageable as Buttler edged closer to his half-century, but England’s batting order was finally breached with Salt playing on off the bowling of Adam Zampa for 37.
Buttler followed after going for the spectacular in his attempt for a six, as Cummins made the catch off the reverse sweep.
Mitchell Starc’s superb catch off the bowling of Stoinis would then end Will Jacks’ innings, before England managed to go past the century mark.
Ali’s three sixes in the 13th over gave England renewed hope of a successful chase, but Jonny Bairstow was next to go after a routine catch by Glenn Maxwell.
Josh Hazlewood’s excellent bowling stemmed England’s flow, with Ali taken out by Warner from a Cummins delivery, before Starc caught Liam Livingstone – again off Cummins.
In the end, England would fall well short and questions will be asked ahead of their third group match against Oman in Antigua and Barbuda next Thursday.
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