England continued their fine summer form with a five-run victory over Australia in the one-off NatWest T20 International in Cardiff.
Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali shared in a pivotal third-wicket stand worth 135, but Australia captain Steve Smith’s 90 ensured that the match was in the balance going into the final over, but a wicket, run out and just six runs conceded completed the win for the hosts.
Morgan, clearly refreshed on his return to the national side, led from the front alongside Moeen Ali after two wickets in Pat Cummins’ first over saw off Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales and his opening partner Jason Roy.
Australia’s bowlers enjoyed the best of the opening overs, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Cummins bowling with decent pace and enjoying a little movement under brightening skies.
Their start was derailed in some style, though. Moeen Ali played classily, timing the ball well and immediately got the England innings moving, but after Morgan played himself in, both turned class into destruction.
Where Morgan had benefited from his break from international duty, Australian newcomers Marcus Stionis, and Cameron Boyce came under heavy fire in the middle overs as both batsmen passed 50, clearing the ropes with apparent ease.
After posting 182-5 from their 20 overs, England too had early success with the new ball, with David Warner and Shane Watson both succumbing inside two overs. The latter was comical in his dismissal – after jabbing the bat down on a full delivery from Steven Finn, he then attempted to kick the ball away from his stumps and duly missed it completely.
Smith provided steel, and alongside Glenn Maxwell ensured that the contest remained in the balance. The pair added 124 and was only broken by Moeen Ali, whose first ball accounted for Maxwell thanks to another excellent catch in the deep from Ben Stokes.
And it was Stokes who proved decisive. Scoring one in the first innings and ending the match with modest figures, his influence was far greater than the scorebook will suggest.
It prompted a shift in the balance. Reece Topley on debut accounted for Mitchell Marsh with a slower ball, while Willey claimed the prize scalp of Smith.
Thrown the ball for the last over, Australia required 12. Stokes then conceded just six, took a wicket and handily took the bails to run out Wade and end the contest emphatically.
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