■ AUSTRALIA’S defence of the World Cup began disastrously yesterday as New Zealand inflicted a crushing 89-run defeat upon the hosts in Sydney.

Aaron Finch’s team were humiliated by opponents they beat to take their first T20 title in the UAE 11 months ago. And New Zealand were well worth their first victory on Australian soil in any format in 11 years, as Finn Allen crunched a 16-ball 42 to begin the blitz and Tim Southee completed it with his third wicket in figures of three for six.

‘It was basically how not to play a T20 and we got beaten in all aspects of the game,’ admitted all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.

SAFE PAIR OF HANDS: Buttler pulls off a great catch and Livingstone (inset, below) does the same trick in England’s win over Afghanistan