Australia batted first and scored 179 all out. Travis Head was the top performer with 59 runs off 23 balls, hitting eight boundaries and four sixes.
England’s spinners Liam Livingstone and Adil Rashid slowed the run rate in the middle overs, taking three and one wicket respectively.
England’s chase got off to a rocky start, losing four wickets for 52 runs within eight overs.
Adam Zampa was the standout bowler for Australia, taking two wickets for 20 runs. Josh Hazlewood also contributed with two wickets for 32 runs.
England’s top-scorer, Liam Livingstone, made 37 runs and had a 54-run partnership with Sam Curran. However, consistent wicket-taking by Australia saw England all out for 151.
Phil Salt, England’s stand-in captain, acknowledged the team’s failure to contain Head’s fast runs but remained hopeful. “Maybe we could have done a bit better, but it gives us something to work on for the next game,” Salt was quoted as saying by AFP after the match.
Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s captain, praised Head and opener Matthew Short for their aggressive start. He also commended the bowling efforts of Zampa and Hazlewood.
“We’re lucky to have guys like Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood in our team, especially for some of our younger guys to learn from,” Marsh said. “I went back to them and they both applied the pressure when needed.”
Australia faced a minor setback when pacer Xavier Bartlett left the field with a thigh injury.
The second T20 international is scheduled for Friday in Cardiff.