England’s T20 World Cup defence is already in danger after a damaging 36-run defeat by Australia in Barbados.
After a roaring start, their old rivals piled up 201-7 before England’s batters fell away badly in their pursuit.
Jos Buttler and Phil Salt reached 73-0 but after Salt fell in the eighth over England slipped further and further behind the required rate as wickets tumbled.
They ended on 165-6 with Buttler’s 42 their highest score.
In truth the game was won in the first five overs, however.
Travis Head and David Warner flogged England’s bowling with a partnership of 70 off 30 balls.
Seven of Australia’s 13 sixes were hit in their opening stand, giving them the platform to post the highest score of the World Cup so far.
England now will likely have to win their final two games against Oman and Namibia to have a chance of avoiding the embarrassment of failing to reach the Super 8 phase, and even that may only set up a scenario where they rely on net run-rate to pip Scotland.
After Tuesday’s washout with Scotland, this was supposed to be the day England’s tournament burst into life, putting behind them their struggles in defending their 50-over world title last year.
Instead, as their oldest foes celebrated in the Caribbean sun, they are left with familiar questions to answer.
Australia’s start was even more remarkable given Moeen Ali conceded only three from the first over.
Part-time spinner Will Jacks took the second, despite having only bowled two overs previously in the format for England, and Head slog-swept his first two deliveries for six. England’s gamble of an over cost 22 and from there carnage ensued as Australia targeted a short boundary.
Mark Wood’s first two deliveries were flogged for six by Warner and Australia’s openers put on a fifty stand in 22 deliveries. Three of their sixes were hit out of the ground.
Warner, possibly batting against England for the final time, had his assault stopped by one that kept low from Moeen while Head was bowled by a slower ball from Jofra Archer – the only one of England’s frontline bowlers to avoid serious damage.
There were contributions from Mitchell Marsh with 35, Glenn Maxwell’s 28 and Marcus Stoinis’ 30 as England fought – but the damage was done.
Scotland face Oman on Sunday in Antigua. A victory for the Scots, who could also inflict terminal damage by beating Australia, would pile on the pressure.
