For the most part of the T20I series-opener, it seemed Australia looked like they were going to put to rest pre-match theories that they wi...
For the most part of the T20I series-opener, it seemed Australia looked like they were going to put to rest pre-match theories that they will be rusty against England. For the most part of the game, after overcoming initial hiccups, Australia looked likely winners.
But in the part of the game that mattered the most — the climax — England prevailed.
In the end, Tom Curran held his nerve as the hosts beat Australia by two runs in a final-ball thriller to win the first Twenty20 international at Southampton on Friday and go 1-0 up in a three-match series.
Australia, in their first competitive match for nearly six months because of the coronavirus, were making light work of a target of 163 while captain Aaron Finch (46) and David Warner (58) were putting on 98 for the first wicket.
But star batsman Steve Smith’s exit for just 18 sparked a collapse that saw Australia lose four wickets for nine runs in 14 balls.
Chris Jordan, in his 50th match at this level, conceded just four runs in the penultimate over that ended with him running out Ashton Agar.
A target of 15 off six balls became five off one.
But Marcus Stoinis, having hit a six off Curran earlier in the over,...
