Alex Hales made a statement with a rapid 84
while quicks Mark Wood and Sam Curran thwarted
Australia's bold chase as England stepped up their T20 World Cup
preparations with a tight eight-run victory in the series opener in Perth.
In a record 132-run opening partnership for England against Australia,
, Hales and the returning Jos Buttler flattened a weakened attack to power the tourists to a huge total.
An aggressive Australia, who had dropped Steven Smith
were on pace with David Warner making his second consecutive half-century but England held their nerve through quality death bowling from Wood and Curran.
It was a return of international cricket in Perth since the women's T20 World Cup
after an easing of strict Covid-19 measures.
The final two games of the series will be played in Canberra starting on Wednesday.