For most of the 1st T20I match, it seemed Australia will put the pre-match theories of experts to rest that they would look out of shape playing against England. Australia had some hurdles in the early part of the game but after overcoming that they seemed the likely winners for the most of the game. But England held their nerves during the end part of the game to defeat Australia.

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 T20 international at Southampton on Friday and go 1-0 up in a three-match series.

This was Australia’s first international match in the past six months since the coronavirus pandemic. As they went on to chase a target of 163 the best knock came from Australia’s captain Aaron Finch (46) and David Warner (58) as they put on a 98 runs partnership for the first wicket.

But Australia’s batting order collapsed down after Steve Smith was dismissed for just 18 runs. Australia in this period lost four wickets for a mere nine runs in 14 balls.

Australia needed 15 off the last over to win. Stoinis, after hitting a six earlier in the over he couldn’t repeat it in the last ball as the hosts took a win. Malan (66) and Butler (44) were the best with the bat for England in the first innings.