England vs Australia LIVE: T20 World Cup cricket score and latest updates from fixture today

England stood on the brink of the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup after Jos Buttler’s batting pyrotechnics secured their comprehensive eight-wicket victory against Australia in a Group I match on Saturday.

Buttler smashed an incendiary 71 not out off 32 balls as England, having bowled out Australia for a below-par 125, triumphed in 11.4 overs in the one-sided Super 12 contest.

Eoin Morgan’s team, bidding to become the first side to hold both the 50-overs and 20-overs World Cups at the same time, top the group after a hat-trick of victories, followed by Australia and South Africa with two wins each. Follow all the latest updates below.

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England vs Australia

• England win the toss and elect to bowl first

• 8-2 (2.2 overs): Chris Woakes takes brilliant one-handed catch

• Australia 125 all out (20 overs) after Chris Jordan and Chris Woakes shine

• Jos Buttler smashes his way to 50 as England dominate

• England (126-2) beat Australia (125) with 50 balls to spare

Farewell!

18:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That just about does us for our coverage of another comfortable cruise to victory for an England side that look in rampant form. A third masterclass with the ball and that was a production of beautiful, brilliant brutality from Jos Buttler.

England are back in action against Sri Lanka on Monday afternoon, while Australia take a few days off to recuperate before looking to reset against Bangladesh on Thursday’s.

Tomorrow action is very intriguing - Afghanistan cannot afford a slip-up against an in-form Namibian side, while New Zealand and India will hope to get their first win of the competition as they meet in Dubai having been beaten by Group 2 table-toppers Pakistan.

We’ll have plenty of coverage on everything T20 World Cup across The Independent, so stay with us for that, but for now - farewell!

Captain Eoin Morgan on his side’s win

18:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“We held up pretty well against a very strong Australia side. The bowlers again came up trumps. Depending on how the wicket plays you have to have guys to go to. We are lucky to have a couple of all-rounders

“Jos Buttler and Jason Roy are two really imposing players. They set the intent.

“We treat everybody with the same amount of respect. It is a really tough competition and we’ve got another challenge in a few days.”

Aaron Finch reflects on Australia’s defeat

18:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I thought when we lost a few wickets in the powerplay I had to hang in there and get to a total that we thought could be defendable if a few things went our way.

“We had to bowl them out, we knew that. Jos Buttler played a hell of an innings. We got off to a bad start and it kept compounding.

“Some guys probably deserve a bit of time off - we’ll dust ourselves off for Bangladesh.”

Chris Jordan is the Player of the Match

18:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“We were just trying to keep it as simple as possible. Today we tried to hold our length and be nice and straight and it paid off today.”

England surge clear at the top of Group 1

17:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That win leaves England two points clear of South Africa and Australia in Group 1 with a gaudy net run rate nudging up towards four. Australia are behind South Africa on that metric now - that was a thumping.

England (126-2) beat Australia (125) with 50 balls to spare!

17:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Three from three for England and Eoin Morgan’s side look simply unstoppable at the moment. Their bowlers got things rolling with a third outstanding performance up front in succession, limiting Australia to a below-par total that has been simply demolished thanks, in large part, to a piece of magnificence from Jos Buttler, who made a scintillating 71 in just 32 balls.

ENGLAND WIN BY EIGHT WICKETS!

17:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

FOUR BYES! England 123-2 (11.1)

17:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’ll surely make sure it will! Big turn from the rough past another of those great heaves from Bairstow, beating the edge of the bat, keeper Matthew Wade and slip for good measure too, and a half-hearted chase from short third man will be in vain. Four byes.

England 119-2 (11), J Bairstow 14, J Buttler 70, A Zampa 1-37 (3)

17:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Some mild disappointment from the crowd as Bairstow is unable to connect fully from the final two balls. Just seven more required - will Ashton Agar’s next be the last?

SIX! SIX! England 118-2 (10.3)

17:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jonny Bairstow fancies some fun! Over-pitched from Zampa, and Bairstow doles out some more punishment over long-on.

Have some more! Another tossed up delivery, another handsome heave - half-a-dozen more signalled as the crowd are disturbed some 15 rows back at square leg.

SIX! England 105-2 (10.1)

17:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another biggie! Down the track saunter Buttler, and for the stands he asks Adam Zampa to gaze again! This has been a brutal display of clean-hitting brilliance.

England 99-2 (10), Jonny Bairstow 1, J Buttler 63, A Agar 1-12 (2)

17:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two singles finish up a neat set of six from Ashton Agar, but England are cruising to another very simple victory.

DRINKS!

17:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jonny Bairstow is the new batter, in the number four role he has been forced to make his own thanks to the promotion of Jos Buttler in England preferred T20 XI - a move that has worked out rather well.

OUT! Dawid Malan c †Wade b Agar 8 (8b 1x4 0x6), Australia 97-2 (9.1)

17:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Relief for Australia - they’ve got Dawid Malan!

England need less than 30 but their under-fire anchor has perished cheaply again. It’s the returning Ashton Agar’s who has done him with the lack of turn from over the wicket, perhaps just skidding on as the dew starts to fall and taking the outside edge of Malan’s prodding bat.

Matthew Wade rather tidily claims behind the stumps.

FOUR! England 97-1 (9), D Malan 9, J Buttler 62, A Zampa 1-17 (2)

17:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is a masterclass. David Warner does superbly to prevent another sliced off-drive from finding the boundary but there’s not a fielder in the same post-code as Buttler crunches a reverse sweep.

SIX AND FIFTY! Jos Buttler 55 (25 balls, 4x4, 4x6), England 89-1 (8.2)

17:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stop it, Jos! He’s beaten you in the flight!

Zampa drags the ball down as Buttler tries another of those adventures down the pitch, but Buttler goes through with the shot regardless, another muscular freeing of the arms bringing another six of grand amplitude, and a fifty for England’s remarkable keeper-batter.

FOUR! England 82-1, D Malan 6, J Buttler 49, M Starc 0-37 (3)

17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scythed straight of mid-off! An off-cutter from Mitchell Starc fails to pitch and Jos Buttler is reaping like a pleased farmer with a swing of the arms across the line of the ball, sending it skidding for the long-off fence.

Four more! Absolutely atomised! A powerful pull and Buttler moves to within one of a brilliant 50.

FOUR! England 73-1 (7.3)

17:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What a yorker! It’s not out, but that is something fierce from Mitchell Starc, ducking in viciously to destroy Dawid Malan’s toes. Missing leg and possibly a hint of bat involved but not far away at all as Starc looks to force his side back into the contest.

Revenge! Cut handsomely behind point as Starc’s length drops short.

England 68-1 (7), Dawid Malan 1, J Buttler 40, Adam Zampa 1-2 (1)

17:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Excellent start from Zampa, with Buttler on the charge again to close the over but unable to swing freely as Zampa just pushes a leg-break out of his arc.

England 66-1 (6.3)

17:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Adam Zampa always seemed a good option against this England opening pair. I’m surprised Australia didn’t use him in the powerplay, but he has has got a much-needed breakthrough straight away.

Dawid Malan in at three. He’s got a strong record against Zampa previously but perhaps not often on a track that is turning like this.

OUT! Jason Roy lbw b Zampa 22 (20b 1x4 1x6), England 66-1 (6.2)

17:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It is out! A brilliant review from Australia, a leg-break pitching on off-stump, hitting on off-stump and tracking to hit off-stump. Roy falls, England’s opening partnership is ended.

REVIEW! England 66-0 (6.2)

17:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Adam Zampa is into the attack and he’s convinced his captain to review as Jason Roy misses a reverse sweep. This looks tight. Not out on the field. No bat.

England 66-0 (6), J Roy 22, J Buttler 39, M Starc 0-22 (2)

17:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A sliced drive from Buttler brings the third three of this powerplay pummelling. England with the highest score of the tournament in this first phase so far, with more than half of the target already knocked off.

England 62-0 (5.4)

17:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Matthew Wade howls an appeal as Buttler misses a pull, but Marais Erasmus is not easily conned - the South African signals a wide.

SIX MORE! EVEN BIGGER?! England 61-0 (5.3)

17:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is a demolition job. Buttler sets himself again and he’s through the ball beautifully once more - a metre further in the same region!

SIX! England 55-0 (5.2)

17:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That! Is! VAST! Jos Buttler clears his front leg and languidly launches Mitchell Starc into the next Emirate.

FOUR! England 49-0 (5), J Roy 20, J Buttler 24, J Hazlewood 0-18 (2)

17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

More intelligent hare-ing brings England two more, and after sucking in some much-needed oxygen, Buttler is suitably replenished to rock back to a ball that sits in the surface and decisively thump Hazlewood over mid-on. England dominating another powerplay.

Mitchell Starc will bookend it.

England 41-0 (4.3)

17:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another three! It’s an outstanding yorker from Hazlewood but Buttler manages to get his wrists through it and through an inviting gap at extra cover.

England 37-0 (4), J Roy 18, J Buttler 15, Ashton Agar 0-10 (1)

17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England certainly aren’t scared of Agar. Will we see Adam Zampa in the powerplay, too? It’s back to Josh Hazlewood for now.

SIX! England 37-0 (3.5)

17:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

He’s not yorked himself there! Sizeable blow from Buttler, 91 metres in fact, as he again charges down and plants Agar over long-off, the fielder on the fence craning his neck like an child on November 5th.

England 30-0 (3.3)

17:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Agar is a canny operator who changes his length very well, and he nearly fools an advancing Jos Buttler, who manages to retrieve his shovel in time to dig it out having yorked himself.

England 29-0 (3.1)

17:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fourth over, fourth bowler, and Aaron Finch basically had to try it after his quicks came up empty - Ashton Agar tends to slide the ball on in the powerplay. Historically Jason Roy has struggled against left-arm orthodox but his recent record is far, far stronger. A drive brings him one from Agar’s first ball, and a wide adds one more to the total.

England 27-0 (3), J Roy 16, J Buttler 8, Pat Cummins 0-14 (1)

17:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A rather tidy yorker to close from Pat Cummins, but England are already ahead of the game.

SIX! England 24-0 (2.3)

17:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Clever from Cummins - a slower ball bouncer as Roy sets like a baseball hitter but can’t adjust to the meat-ball. Dot ball.

That’s not a dot - that’s enormous! On a length, Roy again sashaying down and dismissing Cummins for somewhere distant cow corner-ward.

England 18-0 (2.2)

17:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cummins pushes his first ball down the leg-side and then allows himself to be nudged for three as he again strays to leg.

And to further exacerbate a strangely loose start, he’s over-stepped. A free hit - Jason Roy licks his lips...

England 13-0 (2), J Roy 7, J Buttler 5, Josh Hazlewood 0-7 (1)

17:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Roy’s feet are dancing again as he steps to leg to try and open the off-side up, cutting to third man from single.

A different tactic from Buttler, but with similar intentions of disrupting Hazlewood - he’s immediately looking for a fine scoop but fails to connect with a ball that ducks just beyond his leg pole. It defeats Matthew Wade on the hop - a bye will give Buttler the strike as Pat Cummins completes this powerful pace cabal, replacing Mitchell Starc.

England 11-0 (1.4)

16:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s why Roy is looking to be proactive - extravagant nip from a length from Hazlewood and troubling the top of Roy’s trousers.

FOUR! England 9-0 (1.1)

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Adventurous from Jason Roy! Hazlewood is a line and length bowler and the England opener is keen not to let him settle, skipping down and pulling the ball from about thigh-height through straight midwicket for his first four. Good approach, good shot.

16:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It won’t be spin to start for Australia - Josh Hazlewood will share the new ball in his most effective phase...

FOUR! England 4-0 (1), Jason Roy 1, Jos Buttler 4, Mitchell Starc 0-5 (1)

16:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And there’s the first boundary! Not dissimilar to Steve Smith’s dismissal earlier as Jos Buttler pulls a ball leaving him on the angle from Starc’s left-arm over, but the timing is just about there as he bisects midwicket and mid-on for four.

That’s a decent riposte, though, curling in at a mean speed on a full length and Buttler grateful for an inside edge that prevents his timbers being shivered.

England 1-0 (0.2)

16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A tickle around the corner to fine leg gets England off the mark.

England 0-0 (0.1 overs)

16:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A hint of inswing but Roy is confidently forward and behind it, returning it to the bowler on the bounce.

Mitchell Starc to start

16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mitchell Starc’s back appears to be okay - he’s got the new white pill in his hand and will seek some early movement. Jason Roy to face up first...

Australia’s strategy

16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia tend to build their side about their outstanding attack of fast bowlers, but the usage of their spinners will be interesting. They have to try and target England’s openers with spin - Ashton Agar is capable in the powerplay but both Jason Roy and Jos Buttler have become more comfortable against left-armers. With a low total, Aaron Finch can’t afford to hold back, really.

Can England chase down 126?

16:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England’s batting line-up has been the stronger of their suits since their white-ball revolution six years ago, but their bowlers have once again given them a manageable total to try and track down. Can they do it? Dawid Malan might be key. Having seen how Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone bowled you would think that Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa will be key on a turning track, and Malan’s left-handedness should be able to counter them. If he is to keep his place in this England team it is chases like these he must master.

Jonny Bairstow also plays spin very, very well.

Chris Woakes reflects on another fine night for England’s bowlers

16:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“It’s coming out nicely. It is nice when the new ball does things early - it is my job to get wickets at the top. I just tried to find a length and get a bit of movement off the seam.

“I thought the catch had done me. Thankfully it stuck. We’d have taken it at the start. If we can keep wickets in hand, we bat deep and hopefully we can knock it off.”

England’s Bowling Figures:

Adil Rashid 4-0-19-2

Chris Woakes 4-0-23-2

Chris Jordan 4-0-17-3

Liam Livingstone 4-0-15-1

Tymal Mills 4-0-45-2

ENGLAND REQUIRE 126

16:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

OUT! Mitchell Starc c †Buttler b Mills 13 (6b 1x4 1x6), Australia 125 all out

16:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A wicket to finish! Starc fails to predict that Mills would go to his change-of-pace and try though the left-hander does to hold his stroke, he is still early as it hops up outside off. A thin top edge, a lunging Jos Buttler scoops it off his shoelaces, and England have bowled out Australia for 125.

SIX! Australia 125-9 (19.5)

16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is turning into a useful cameo from Mitch Starc, who gives it a proper thwack - a leg-sidey, length, on-pace ball from Mills is asking for trouble and Starc obliges with a larrup over the fine leg fence.

OUT! Adam Zampa run out (†Buttler/Mills) 1 (4b 0x4 0x6), Australia 119-9 (19.4)

16:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

He has! He’d missed with a heave but Starc had asked him to run regardless, and a furious hurl to Mills from Jos Buttler allows the bowler to remove the bails before Zampa can ground his bat. Josh Hazlewood is the last man, at the non-striker’s end.

OUT? We’ll check upstairs!

16:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Has Adam Zampa been run out at the bowler’s end?

FOUR! Australia 119-8 (19.3)

16:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mills will see things out, and that’s not the most intelligent start - a slower ball on a length that Mitchell Starc is able to swing through over mid-off. There’s limited timing but the fielder is inside the circle.

Starc appears to tweak his back, but he’s in good enough shape to first steal a couple to midwicket and then hustle through for one having been struck on the thigh.

Australia 112-8 (19), M Starc 1, A Zampa 1, C Jordan 3-17 (4)

16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Magnificent death-bowling from Jordan - after drawing the wicket of Aaron Finch with an aberration first up it is a exhibition of perfect yorkers, two dots closing the over.

Australia 111-8 (18.3)

16:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another attempted yorker but just wide of off-stump, and new man Adam Zampa is able to snatch a single after defending into the off-side.

OUT! Pat Cummins b Jordan 12 (3b 0x4 2x6), Australia 110-8 (18.2)

16:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two in two! A searing yorker from Chris Jordan ends Pat Cummins’ fun, crashing into the bottom of off stump off an inside/bottom edge as Cummins tries to jam down on it. Jordan on a hat-trick - we’ve already had one today...

OUT! Aaron Finch c Bairstow b Jordan 44 (49b 4x4 0x6), Australia 110-7 (18.1)

16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s a very, very good snag from Jonny Bairstow at long-off and Aaron Finch’s innings is over! It’s a slot ball from Chris Jordan, ripe for punishing somewhere down the ground, but Finch can’t quite get underneath it as he would like, slicing it slightly to the left of mid-off.

Bairstow makes excellent ground and stoops to collect on the dive rather nicely.

SIX MORE! Australia 110-6 (18), P Cummins 12, A Finch 44, T Mills 1-33 (3)

16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

LARGE! Two from two for Pat Cummins and this is an enormous blow, Mills straying into the arc again and duly hoisted for the stands high over midwicket.

SIX! Australia 98-6 (17.4)

16:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Hello Pat Cummins! Six to get underway! A length ball from Mills, a freeing of the arms, and the sweet release of a languid off-drive over mid-off for a maximum!

OUT! Ashton Agar c Livingstone b Mills 20 (20b 0x4 2x6), Australia 98-6 (17.4)

16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Thumped hard, but straight to deep midwicket! It’s another crisp connection from the long levers of Ashton Agar but he’s picked out Liam Livingstone, who takes the catch smartly.

It was back of a length from Mills, his preferred strategy at the death, and that’s a boundary of decent size out to the leg side. Agar gave that a proper crunch, but England strike again to end the partnership.

Australia 97-5 (17.3)

16:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Strong start to the over from Tymal Mills, with Australia struggling to pick his variation in pace. Finch inside edges one into his pad-flap with Agar sharp to steal a single as Finch dislodges it by his crease.

REVIEW! Australia 95-5 (17), A Agar 19, A Finch 42, C Woakes 2-23 (4)

16:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England review an LBW decision from the last ball of Chris Woakes spell, but that has pretty clearly pitched outside leg, even at a yorker length. To make matters worse for Eoin Morgan, it’s skidded away from Ashton Agar’s ankle for four leg byes. A brilliant yorker from Woakes, but not out, four more to the tally and Australia just starting to creep up to something vaguely respectable.

Those two hoists from Agar have rather spoiled another night of new-ball mastery from Woakes.

SIX! SIX! Australia 89-5 (16.3)

16:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What will Australia be thinking from here? It is a bowling track, but England will back themselves to chase anything short of 130 if the dew descends and the ball begins to slide on.

That’ll help! A big top edge from Agar that lands in the hands of Moeen Ali at backward square leg, but a couple of yards beyond the advertising cushions covering the boundary rope.

Cleanly struck! Six more for Agar as he swings a length ball over cow corner.

Australia 75-7 (16), A Agar 6, A Finch 40, C Jordan 1-15 (3)

16:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A drop-and-run into the off-side from a slower ball takes Finch up to 40 from 44 balls, and keeps him on strike as Chris Woakes returns.

FOUR! Australia 74-5 (15.5)

16:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jordan has a chat with his captain Eoin Morgan. They are England’s bowling brains-trust, with Morgan regularly talking up Jordan’s savvy. Part of the former Sussex seamer’s reasoning for making his return to Surrey ahead of next summer was an overdue chance to captain their T20 side having been stuck behind Luke Wright at Hove.

And the skipper helps Jordan out! Agar absolutely pulverises a punched cut but Morgan just about gets a hand in the way, stinging his right palm as he dives to his right at extra cover.

There’ll be no stopping that, though - a powerful back cut from Aaron Finch as Jordan again misses his line and length.

Australia 67-5 (15), A Agar 4, A Finch 34, T Mills 0-18 (2)

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A ducking Finch is bemused as a Mills bouncer that sniffs his left shoulder is not greeted by the spreading of the arms, but both the standing and square leg umpires are content with the height and line. No wide signalled - on we go to Chris Jordan’s third over.

FOUR! FOUR! Finch fights back! Australia 65-5 (14.2)

16:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England have kept three Tymal Mills overs back for the death but can Aaron Finch force an alteration of plans? The Sussex seamer twice over-pitches and Finch is first nicely through a powerful off drive and then caressing wide of extra cover for consecutive boundaries.

Australia 57-5 (14), A Agar 3, A Finch 25, L Livingstone 1-15 (4)

16:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Livingstone hustles through his last, and why not? That’s the first time he’s bowled four overs in a T20 international, and another reminder of his value to this England side. Combined figures of 8-0-34-2 for England’s spinners so far.

Australia 55-5 (13.3)

16:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Aaron Finch has needed 35 balls to get the 24 runs he brings up with a cut off the continuing Livingstone - a mark of just how tough it has been out there for Australia. There’s appreciable turn off the surface for Livingstone’s leg and off breaks.

Australia 53-5 (13), A Agar 1, A Finch 23, A Rashid 1-19 (4)

16:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Not perhaps an advisable technique from Agar, who goes back to a ball that lands just short of his front foot, but the left-hander is able to dig it out and gets off the mark from his sixth ball with a cut to the off-side sweeper.

Finch very nearly gets himself out as he tries to see out the final ball of Rashid’s allocation - a thick inside edge saving the Australian captain from making his own exit as Rashid out-foxes him with another of those wily wrong’uns. Another superb spell from Rashid.

Australia 51-5 (12), A Agar 0, A Finch 22, L Livingstone 1-11 (3)

15:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ashton Agar is in at seven for Australia. This isn’t the worst scenario for Agar, who is probably a better fit for the sort of role required now than a go-from-ball-one death hitter he is ostensibly carded as in this side.

Two dots to close another excellent over from Livingstone - and Adil Rashid is back for his final twirl at the other end.

OUT! Matthew Wade c Roy b Livingstone 18 (18b 2x4 0x6), Australia 51-5 (11.4)

15:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Straight down long-on’s throat! Matthew Wade has had enough of the nurdling, dosey-doeing down the track and giving it a whack for the stands beyond Livingstone’s bleached blonde head.

The connection doesn’t sound right off the bat and down it tumbles for Jason Roy to claim a reasonably simple catch on the rope.

Australia 51-4 (11.3)

15:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Liam Livingstone into his third now. Australia have looked reasonably comfortable against him but there hasn’t been too much loose for Wade and Finch to sink their teeth into.

Australia 49-4 (11), M Wade 17, A Finch 21, T Mills 0-8 (1)

15:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wade is contorted by the next ball, initially looking for something similar before being pushed back by the force of a vicious left jab from Mills’ short ball that leaps out of the surface.

The usual mix of 90mph hurls and slower balls from Mills. Eight from the over.

FOUR! Australia 47-4 (10.4)

15:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Flayed away by Matthew Wade...where is this landing? Just short of the third man boundary! The fielder can’t quite get around to it, Moeen Ali signalling a disappointed four as he watches it fall from about three metres away. An out-of-control cut from Wade, but four more to this low total.

Australia 42-4 (10.1)

15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Unsurprisingly, here is Tymal Mills, who must have felt rather left out. The back-half of a T20 innings has very much become his favoured terrain - can Australia start a fight back?

15:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia 40-4 (10), M Wade 11, A Finch 20, L Livingstone 0-9 (2)

15:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Three more singles bring us to the halfway mark of a disastrous innings so far for Australia. Two boundaries, four wickets - England outstanding with the ball for a third successive games, and with four overs of Tymal Mills still held in reserve.

Australia 38-4 (9.2)

15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Finch roars his frustration as he rather miscues a long-hop from Livingstone with little timing to deep midwicket. Like a bear with a thorn in his paw after an angry swipe.

Australia 37-4 (9), M Wade 9, A Finch 18, A Rashid 1-17 (3)

15:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

After a half-hearted LBW appeal as Finch is struck sweeping after a leg-break lands loopily outside leg, a force to long-off brings Finch a single to retain the strike and face up to Livingstone once more.

Australia 36-4 (8.4)

15:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Matthew Wade doesn’t seem to be picking Adil Rashid but he is doing a good enough job so far of turning over the strike, and powerful calling urges his captain to come back for two despite a clean pick-up and burly hurl from Liam Livingstone.

Australia 32-4 (8), M Wade 6, A Finch 16, L Livingstone 0-5 (1)

15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Finch is sticking around out there, forcing a well-run two to Moeen Ali’s left on the point fence as Livingstone drags one down outside off.

A brilliant diving stop from Liam Livingstone to his left saves a single and keeps it to five from his first bag of liquorice allsorts. Rashid continues.

FOUR! Australia 27-4 (7), M Wade 5, A Finch 12, A Rashid 1-12 (2)

15:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Matthew Wade has arrived in a bid to stop the rot, a left-hander who can struggle against spin but could in theory counter Adil Rashid. Perhaps not quite like that, though the four runs are welcome - under-edged wide of Jordan’s bucket-hands at slip and beating short third, too, to bring a much needed boundary.

We are going to have mystery spin at both ends - Liam Livingstone will likely bowl leggies to Aaron Finch and cock his wrist the other way for some off-tweakers to Wade.

OUT! Marcus Stoinis lbw b Rashid 0 (4b 0x4 0x6), Australia 21-4 (6.1)

15:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And he strikes first up in his second! LBW? Caught? It matters not because it is out either way!

A brilliant googly from Adil Rashid to Marcus Stoinis, who hasn’t even close to picked it. If it’s eluded the edge of his bat it is about as plumb as they come; if it has made connection then it has been pouched by Chris Jordan at slip. Aaron Finch waves off any contemplation of a review - Australia in dire straits.

It’s LBW in the book!

Australia 21-3 (6), M Stoinis 0, A Finch 11, C Woakes 2-7 (3)

15:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A third reasonably struck drive this time finds the hands of mid-on and a nurdle to midwicket won’t bring Finch the single he desires from the final ball of an over that included just a wide and a leg bye.

That concludes the powerplay, and Eoin Morgan goes back to his leg-spinner - Adil Rashid’s first over of six so far the most expensive of the match!

Australia 21-3 (5.4)

15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Aaron Finch has started to get his feet moving slightly more authoritatively, but can only find mid-off with two drives as he gets a stride in. Woakes plugging away on a length.

Australia 19-3, M Stoinis 0, A Finch 11, C Jordan 1-7 (2)

15:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“This has just been so impressive from the England fast bowlers,” emphasises Shane Watson, who knows a thing or two about reviewing stone dead LBWs, as a replay of Glenn Maxwell’s dismissal is shown. This really has been first-rate from Eoin Morgan’s side.

Finch takes two twos to at least move Australia’s score on as Chris Woakes readies himself for a third at the top of his mark.

CLOSE, BUT NOT OUT! Australia 15-3 (4.1)

15:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Aaron Finch tends to stay leg-side of the ball but he is slightly across his stumps as Jordan produces another knee-seeker, and that is tracking to take a healthy chunk of leg stump, but not enough to over-turn Nitin Menon’s on-field decision. Finch survives - how Australia needed Menon to not trigger him there.

Aaron Finch is rapped on the pads and England review!

15:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Chris Jordan continues, and that doesn’t look far away at all. Maybe umpire’s call? There’s no bat...

Australia 15-3 (4), M Stoinis 0, A Finch 7, C Woakes 2-6 (2)

15:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two slips greet Marcus Stoinis as Chris Woakes and Eoin Morgan eye another. Stoinis uses his big biceps to hoist his piece of willow out of harm’s way as Woakes throws up a tempter outside off.

OUT! Glenn Maxwell lbw b Woakes 6 (9b 0x4 0x6), Australia 15-3 (3.5)

15:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another! Probably. Maxwell has reviewed this but that looked very, very close live as he is pinned LBW by a full ball from Woakes. Marais Erasmus raises the finger but Kumar Dharmasena will have to confirm...

Yep - there are dodos showing more signs of life than that one. An airy flick, and but for the intervention of both of Maxwell’s pads that would have thumped into leg pole halfway up. Maxwell wanders back shaking his head. Woakes has two, England have three, and the stadium DJ is playing “It’s Coming Home”.

Premature, you’d say, but England have been irresistible with the ball in the powerplay since arriving in the UAE.

Australia 13-2 (3.3)

15:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Woakes gets another. Obviously. It is interesting that Australia have resisted the urge to promote Marcus Stoinis or Matthew Wade, who open in the Big Bash, to preserve a potential explosion later from Maxwell. Australia are backing their best batter but if England get him they are properly, properly in business. Pat Cummins already has his pads on.

Australia 11-2 (3), G Maxwell 2, A Finch 7, C Jordan 1-3 (1)

15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Glenn Maxwell is in as advertised - at number four and with a stabilising job to do. Just like his predecessor he is nearly defeated by his first ball, a ball that nips away from him from a length and picks a different lane to Maxwell’s forward defence. Jos Buttler “oohs” - not far away.

OUT! Steven Smith c Woakes b Jordan 1 (5b 0x4 0x6), Australia 8-2 (2.2)

15:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

WHAT A GRAB! CHRIS WOAKES AT MID-ON!

Chris Jordan is into the attack at the other end and immediately draws a loose shot from Steve Smith, a cry of frustration from the Australian as he hacks at a wide, short ball that leaves him too much to merit the adventurous pull he plays at it.

He looks like he might have just got away with it as Woakes, in some way from the ring as England look to put pressure on, is forced to retreat, but like an Olympic back-stroker touching for the wall Woakes extends his right hand, taking a remarkable catch as he throws himself backwards. England on fire again with the ball early on.

Australia 8-1 (2), S Smith 1, A Finch 6, C Woakes 1-2 (1)

15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Woakes is properly on the money here. A big, big appeal as Steve Smith wanders across his stumps and is struck high on the front pad - not far away at all, but England opt against the review. A little high, a little leg sidey...clipping! It would have stayed not out.

Smith finally gets one away to deep square leg but an excellent start for England.

Australia 7-1 (1.3)

15:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Crikey! Steve Smith is the new man and nearly making a swift return to the dressing room, squared up by a delicious out-ducker that very nearly takes a smidgen of his bat, too. There’s a fair bit in this surface for Woakes, and a little something or other in the air, too. This could be lively.

OUT! David Warner c †Buttler b Woakes 1 (2b 0x4 0x6), Australia 7-1 (1.2 overs)

15:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Gone! England strike early!

It’s a copy and paste Chris Woakes dismissal of a left-hander. A good line and length, a hint of away nibble as it pushes across David Warner from over the wicket, the new white ball gnawing the outside edge of the bat and taking a faint, but audible, edge through to a smiling Jos Buttler. Warner is on his way for one. Outstanding start from Woakes.

FOUR! Australia 6-0 (1 over), D Warner 1, A Finch 5

15:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Finch then back-pedals in an attempt to open up the off-side, but can’t beat the ring. That is a very good shot though: step, hit, as Rashid floatily lands one right in the flowing stroke of Finch’s Gray-Nicolls. Straight of mid-off with plenty of loft and a couple of hops into the boundary fence. A single nudged to leg closes the first over.

Chris Woakes to share the new ball, as is custom.

Australia 1-0 (0.3)

15:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jaunty start from Aaron Finch, a quickstep out of his crease to the offside as Rashid tosses one up. Bat hidden behind pad as Finch is content to just defend.

Australia 1-0 (0.1 overs), David Warner 1, Aaron Finch 0

15:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A deep midwicket and a long-on to start for Adil Rashid against David Warner...

And the opener’s push wrong-foots the leg-spinner, who lets it beyond him for a simple single as mid-off trots around to collect. Warner is underway.

Out in the middle...

14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, we are just about ready to go in Dubai, and it appears that Adil Rashid might have the new white ball in his grasp. It’s not a surprise, necessarily, given how England started to use him as a powerplay option over the last year or so.

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