England outclass Australia

Cardiff

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England captain Eoin Morgan marked his return to cricket by top-scoring for his side in a five-run win over Australia in the lone Twenty20 international in Cardiff yesterday.

Morgan made 74 and shared a third-wicket stand of 135 in just 75 balls with fellow left-hander Moeen Ali (72 not out) in a total of 182 for five after England, sent into bat, had slumped to 18 for two.

Australia, however, were on course for victory while skipper Steven Smith was making a Twenty20 international best 90.

But they lost five wickets for 16 runs in 14 balls and finished on 177 for eight.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who held a brilliant catch in the deep to dismiss Glenn Maxwell, was entrusted with a last over where Australia needed just 12 more runs to win. 

However, they lost three wickets, two to run outs, with Stokes also having Nathan Coulter-Nile out for a duck when Adil Rashid held a skyer at short third man. Stokes conceded just six runs off the over, with Australia finishing on 177 for eight.

 ‘Great game to win’ 

 Morgan’s innings was a vindication of the month’s break he had from cricket after being rested by Middlesex -- whose director of cricket, Angus Fraser, is also an England selector -- following a poor run of domestic form. 

“It was brilliant, a great game of cricket to win,” former Ireland international Morgan told Sky Sports afterwards.

“You can learn a lot from playing in close games against top opposition,” added Morgan also led England to a Twenty20 and one-day series win over New Zealand earlier this season. 

“It was impressive the way Ben Stokes bowled that final over and delivered his skills after just finishing a five-game Test series,” added Morgan, who played no part in England’s 3-2 Ashes series win.

Smith added: “It was one of those games...We were hot and cold with the ball but credit to Eoin and Moeen.

“We couldn’t get another partnership going after me and Glenn and that was a big difference.”

Earlier, England lost openers Alex Hales (three) and Jason Roy (11) in four balls from paceman Pat Cummins to be 18 for two in four overs