Australia still has some work to do ahead of the World T20 after the team went down by nine runs to England in their last lead-up game in Colombo.
England made 6 for 172 off their 20 overs, with Alex Hales making 52 and Luke Wright 35. In reply, Australia finished with 6 for 163 off their full allocation of overs.
Australia's bowling accuracy left a lot to be desired, with the team gifting England more than two free overs with a total of 14 wides. Brad Hogg (2-32) and Mitchell Starc (2-39) were the best of the Australian attack.
The Australians were always behind in the run chase losing David Warner for a duck in the first over.
Shane Watson and Mike Hussey steadied the ship with a 74-run partnership before Watson went for 37, bowled by Graeme Swann.
Cameron White was stumped off the spin of Danny Briggs for nine, and when Hussey went lbw to Stuart Broad for 71 in the 17th over, the task became even more difficult.
Captain George Bailey was bowled by Tim Bresnan the following over for 3, leaving Australia in deep trouble at 5 for 145.
The target got down to 27 runs off the last two overs, with Dan Christian and Glenn Maxwell doing the chasing, but Maxwell was caught behind by Jonny Bairstow off the bowling of Steve Finn for 18 with nine balls left.
The Australians needed 22 off the last six balls, but Bresnan restricted them to just five runs off the first five deliveries, before Matthew Wade ended the game with a big six off the final ball.
Australia's first Cup game will be against Ireland on Wednesday night (AEST) in Colombo.
England 6-172 (20 overs) - Hales 52, Wright 35, Hogg 2-39, Starc 2-32
Australia 6-163 (20 overs) - M Hussey 71, Watson 37, Finn 2-26, Bresnan 1-32
England won by nine runs
Tags: sport, cricket, sri-lanka, australia First posted September 17, 2012 17:58:30
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