Ruthless Australia crush England at T20 World Cup

AFP | Bridgetown

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Jos Buttler said England must “dust ourselves down” after a damaging 36-run defeat by ruthless Australia in Barbados yesterday left their T20 World Cup defence in the balance.

Australia raced out of the blocks at the Kensington Oval, posting 201-7 in their 20 overs, and England wickets tumbled after a bright start as they struggled to 165-6.

Buttler’s men, who flopped badly when defending their 50- over title in India last year, are still winless after their opening game against Scotland was wrecked by rain.

But Australia top Group B after two wins as they stay on track to become the first nation to hold all three global cricket titles simultaneously -- Test, one-day and T20. Opener David Warner topscored for the winners with 39 while spinner Adam Zampa was player of the match after taking 2-28, including the crucial wicket of Buttler for 42.

“They came out with a lot of intent and played really well and put us under a lot of pressure straight away,” said the England captain. “It was tough to drag it back from there. They bowled really well in that middle phase, took wickets at regular times and defended really well.” Buttler said England needed to play with a lot of confidence in their remaining games against Oman and Namibia.

“It’s all laid out what we need to do so we need to dust ourselves down and go again,” he added. Buttler won the toss in Bridgetown but watched in horror as Australia’s openers Warner and Travis Head savaged his bowlers.

Spinner Will Jacks was smashed for 22 runs in his first over and paceman Mark Wood also conceded 22 runs in his opening over as Australia raced to 55-0 off four overs, relishing a short boundary on one side of the ground.

Moeen Ali made the breakthrough England desperately needed, bowling Warner for 39, and paceman Jofra Archer flattened the stumps of Head (34), leaving Australia 74-2.

But captain Mitchell Marsh (35) and Glenn Maxwell (28) kept the score ticking over and Marcus Stoinis’s 30 off 17 balls ensured Australia became the first side to reach the 200-mark during the tournament.