England v Australia, 2015
Wisden's review of the Twenty20 International, England v Australia, 2015
Nick Hoult
15-Apr-2016
At Cardiff, August 31. England won by five runs. Toss: Australia. Twenty20 international debuts: R. J. W. Topley; M. P. Stoinis.
Finally these sides produced a close contest, with England winning in the last over thanks to composed bowling from Stokes. He ensured they did not waste the work of Morgan, who had smashed 74 from 39 balls on his return from a self-imposed, month-long break from the professional game. Morgan's stand of 135 in 12 overs with the equally fluent Ali, who made his first fifty in Twenty20 internationals, was a thrill to watch. Willey removed Warner in the first over of Australia's chase, then Watson was bowled by Finn in the second, trying in vain to kick the ball away after playing a forward defensive. But Smith, leading Australia for the first time in the format, looked to be delivering victory during a high-class 90 - only for Stokes to shift the match England's way with a brilliant diving catch at long-on to dismiss Maxwell, who had put on 112 with his captain. Reece Topley, on his international debut, bowled Mitchell Marsh. The penultimate over, from Willey, turned the screw: with 20 still needed, Australia managed eight and lost Smith, caught at deep midwicket aiming for his fifth six. Stokes then bowled full and straight. Wade was run out off the first ball after a mix-up with debutant Marcus Stoinis, and Coulter-Nile's heave ended up at short third man. Cummins, whose pace had done for England's openers, was also run out, as Australia lost five for 16 in their last 15 balls. Man of the Match: M. M. Ali.
Finally these sides produced a close contest, with England winning in the last over thanks to composed bowling from Stokes. He ensured they did not waste the work of Morgan, who had smashed 74 from 39 balls on his return from a self-imposed, month-long break from the professional game. Morgan's stand of 135 in 12 overs with the equally fluent Ali, who made his first fifty in Twenty20 internationals, was a thrill to watch. Willey removed Warner in the first over of Australia's chase, then Watson was bowled by Finn in the second, trying in vain to kick the ball away after playing a forward defensive. But Smith, leading Australia for the first time in the format, looked to be delivering victory during a high-class 90 - only for Stokes to shift the match England's way with a brilliant diving catch at long-on to dismiss Maxwell, who had put on 112 with his captain. Reece Topley, on his international debut, bowled Mitchell Marsh. The penultimate over, from Willey, turned the screw: with 20 still needed, Australia managed eight and lost Smith, caught at deep midwicket aiming for his fifth six. Stokes then bowled full and straight. Wade was run out off the first ball after a mix-up with debutant Marcus Stoinis, and Coulter-Nile's heave ended up at short third man. Cummins, whose pace had done for England's openers, was also run out, as Australia lost five for 16 in their last 15 balls. Man of the Match: M. M. Ali.