Australia ended England’s stunning run of Twenty20 victories by claiming a four—run win at the MCG on Friday to square the two—match series 1—1.
Chasing 148 to win a ninth successive T20 match, England started its reply well by racing to 60 without loss off 43 balls but was restricted by some tight bowling thereafter to 143—6.
Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson had figures of 3—29, including the key wickets of England topscorer Ian Bell (39), Kevin Pietersen (1) and Eoin Morgan (14), and Shane Watson claimed 2—17.
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England needed 18 off the last over, bowled by Brett Lee, and Chris Woakes smashed a huge six off the fourth ball to leave the world T20 champions requiring seven from the final two deliveries.
Lee kept his composure when it mattered, however, as Australia earned its first victory in six T20s.
Middle—order batsman Aaron Finch helped to give Australia, which won the toss, a competitive total to defend by crashing an unbeaten 53 off 33 balls to guide his team to 147—7.
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England spinner Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy both had 2—19 to slow Australia down after a rapid start, but the visitors’ batsmen could not finish the job.
Johnson was Australia’s most incisive bowler, picking up vital wickets at important times.
He ended the opening partnership between Bell and Steven Davies (29) when the former played on to his own stumps and then had Pietersen caught by Cameron White three balls later, leaving England on 62—2.
After captain Paul Collingwood went for 6, Davies wafted Watson to David Warner at short mid—on to leave limited—overs specialists Morgan and Luke Wright in the middle.
Wright fell to Tait for 18 and Morgan, so often England’s savior in the closing stages of innings, holed out to Finch in the deep when attempting a huge pull for six. The same shot at any other ground in world cricket would have cleared the rope but the vast outfield at the MCG foiled the Irishman, leaving England needing 35 off 16 balls.
Tim Bresnan (1) and Woakes, England’s match—winner at Adelaide on the final ball, were unable to revive England’s hopes.
Finch earlier plundered his half—century in just 34 minutes at the crease in only his second T20 international.
Openers Warner (30) and Watson (17) gave Australia a solid start, putting on 37 in four overs before the latter holed out to Morgan off Woakes.
The introduction of Swann and Yardy slowed the run—rate. After Tim Paine departed for 21 off Swann, Yardy had Warner caught by Pietersen in the deep with the score at 72—3 in the 10th over.
Australia captain White (0) and David Hussey (8) then fell cheaply to leave Australia on 80—5 but Finch rescued the innings, with England’s spinners having completed their allotted overs.
The right—handed Victoria batsman put on a 51—run partnership with Steve Smith in 6.5 overs to give the hosts a fighting chance.