Australia ride their luck to scrape past England in the first Twenty20 showdown, thanks to some heroics from Glenn Maxwell
Maxwell took three key wickets, struck a quickfire, devastating century and survived a scare as hosts took the win in Hobart
AUSTRALIA rode their luck to scrape past England in the first Twenty20 showdown, thanks to Glenn Maxwell heroics.
Explosive all-rounder Maxwell took three wickets before blasted a quickfire, devastating century in Hobart.
However, it wasn't without its controversy as Maxwell was caught by Jason Roy on 59... only for the decision to be overturned by the third umpire.
The Aussie star then helped the hosts battle past England's sub-par total of 155-9 with just nine balls to spare.
England earlier got off to a flying start as Alex Hales, Dawid Malan and Eoin Morgan got their eye in quickly, as the visitors reached 94-2 within ten overs.
Hales and captain Morgan both departed for a quickfire 22, but it was Middlesex man Malan who stole the show in the opening overs.
The England star continued to turn heads as he blasted 50 from just 36 balls, including five fours and a pair of sixes.
However, while he held his own having come in at No3, wickets continued to tumble around him.
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As well as the wickets of Hales and Morgan, Jos Buttler and Sam Billings all fell cheaply while he was at the crease.
Things looked desperate after Malan departed, with Tom Curran - who went six-and-out in his two-ball cameo - and Adil Rashid both falling in single figures.
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It was all down to Chris Jordan and Mark Wood to push England to a semi-competitive total, as they put on 18 for the final wicket, with the Surrey all-rounder blasting the final ball of the innings for a gigantic six, as England posted 155-9.
Maxwell was the pick of the bowlers, with 3-10 in his two overs, while Ashton Agar also took two wickets, in his 2-15 from three overs.
England got off to a flying start with the ball in Australia's reply, as Willey - having been thumped for four by David Warner with his first ball - took two wickets in the first over.
However, new kid on the block D'Arcy Short - fresh from his sublime Big Bash campaign - put on 78 quick runs with Glenn Maxwell, before being caught-and-bowled off Rashid.
After Marcus Stoinis was removed cheaply, Maxwell - then on 59 - was given an almighty reprieve after the third umpire overturned a catch from Roy.
Video replays suggested the ball may have hit the turf before the fielder's hands, but Maxwell could certainly consider himself lucky.
As it was, he stayed at the crease and finished on 103 not out - blasting his final ball for six needing one to win - as Australia won by five wickets with nine balls to spare.