Australia somehow managed to sneak in a 13-runs win over England in their first of three Twenty20 international in Hobart on Wednesday.
Ravi Bopara played a classic innings, hitting seven sixes in his 27-ball 65, but was infortunately not able to take the visitors over the line.
For Australia Nathan Coulter-Nile was the pick of the bowlers with 4-30 off his four overs.
Needing a massive 214 to chase England’s new-look top three, who all have been playing in Australia’s Big Bash League, didn’t get England of to a flier and that was the primary reason for the visitors loss on a smallish ground in Hobart.
Earlier won the toss and elected to bat first, as they smashed their way to an imposing total of 213 for four in their 20 allotted overs.
Openers Cameron White and Aaron Finch put up 106 for the first wicket inside 11 overs before Finch departed for 52 off 31 balls at the hands of Stuart Broad, who was the pick of the lot with figure of 1-25 in his four overs.
White was the next man to be dismissed when he was trapped in front by Luke Wright for 75, having faced only 43 deliveries.
Australia were fielding an under-strength side following the departure of all the first choice players of national team to South Africa, with allrounder Moises Henriques to join the test squad after the Hobart match.
Hence, legspinner James Muirhead, who has played just two first-class and five T20 games, made his international debut for Australia alongside batsman Chris Lynn who socred an impressive 33 with one four and three sixes.
For England Ben Stokes was left out despite an impressive one-day series against Australia, while left-arm spinner Danny Briggs was preferred over James Tredwell.
England lost the Ashes series 5-0 and the one-day series 4-1 to Australia.
