Hobart, Jan 29:
England lost the opening Twenty20 international in Hobart today after narrowly failing to chase down Australia’s massive 214-run target.
The Australians were always in the box seats, with the tourists on 176 for nine with an over left.
But some prodigious late hitting by Ravi Bopara got England to within 13 runs of the target at the finish.
Bopara smashed seven sixes and two fours in his unbeaten 65 off 27 balls but paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile bowled the Australians to victory with four for 30 off his four overs.
Joe Root scored 32 off 24 balls and opener Alex Hales hit 22 off 12 balls for the beaten tourists, who have only won one limited-over international on their hapless tour of Australia.
Australia won the Ashes Test series 5-0 and the ODI series 4-1 before the three-game T20 series began.
“Ravi’s performance was a positive, but if you lose three wickets in the first six overs you rarely win,” said England skipper Stuart Broad.
“We’ll reflect and consider changes, but I err on the side of consistency and back these players to come back strong in Melbourne.”(PTI)
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