Collapse halts England in their tracks

A SPECTACULAR collapse wrecked England’s chances of posting a huge score in their first match of the T20 tri series here today.

Opening their campaign against Australia, England reached 94 for two in the 10th over and were heading for a score around the 200-mark.

However, they were brought to their knees as seven wickets went for 43 runs off just 47 balls. A late dash from Chris Jordan (16 not out), including a six over midwicket off the final ball, gave England something to bowl at.

David Willey ensured Australia began shakily with two wickets in the first over of the chase.

He sent back skipper David Warner — caught by Alex Hales at deep square leg — and bowled No3 Chris Lynn with an inswinger. But, after seven overs, Australia were 74 for two.

Dawid Malan was the only England batsman to emerge with any credit. Preferred at No3 to James Vince, the newly appointed Middlesex captain rattled off a half-century in just his second England match in the format, having scored 78 off 44 balls against Australia in Cardiff last summer. Here, his fifty came off 34 balls, with five fours and two sixes.

England made 60 off their first six overs for the loss of Jason Roy. Skipper Eoin Morgan looked in the mood to dominate, flailing two sixes over cover, but was dismissed for 22 — the first of the sloppy seven to fall.