Last update on. From the section Cricket
ICC Men's T20 World Cup Dubai Australia 125 (20 runs): Finch 44 (49); Jordan 3-17, Woakes 223 England 126-2 (11.4 Overs): Buttler 71* (32); England won by eight wickets Scorecard Tables
Australia was defeated by England in an eight-wicket win that secured England a place at the Men's T20 World Cup semifinals.
Jos Buttler scored a stunning 71 runs from 32 balls, as England raced towards a target of 126, with 8.2 overs remaining.
Eoin Morgan's team dominated the game from the beginning, and Australia was reduced to 21-4 in Dubai - after being unbeaten in their previous two games.
Chris Woakes removed Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, and made an impressive one-handed catch to disqualify Steve Smith.
Australia's lower-order hitting and captain Aaron Finch’s tough 49-ball 44 won them the match before they were bowled out at 125. It was not likely to be enough.
As the chase became a procession, Buttler launched five massive sixes. The England-supporting contingent was seen dancing and singing in their seats.
This was Australia's worst T20 loss in terms of remaining balls and it maintained England's flawless start to the tournament.
They are the clear winners of three of their three games.
England will play Sri Lanka in Sharjah Monday, before South Africa takes the final match at the same venue next Saturday.
England humiliates oldest rivals
Even though England is ranked number 1 in the T20 rankings it would have been a surprise for them to make such a great start to the World Cup.
West Indies lost for 55, while Bangladesh was bowled out with ease. However, this win against their oldest rivals was absolutely sensational.
It looked like the teams were playing a different sport by the end, despite Buttler's incredible hitting.
The opener smashed the top tier of stands to score a 25-ball 50, which included two sixes in just two balls from Starc.
Jonny Bairstow joined Buttler in the final moments after the deaths of Jason Roy (22) and Dawid Malan (8). Captain Morgan looked disbelieving when he launched two sixes on his own.
England's performance was remarkably like their eight-wicket win over Australia at Edgbaston during the semi-finals in the 2019 50-over World Cup.
Keep this up and England may be the first country to win both World Cups simultaneously.
"A masterclass in T20 batting"
Michael Vaughan, a former captain, described England as the "best" and "most destructive" teams in the tournament.
Morgan, who is usually understated, was asked about his reaction to the win. "Pretty good."
England all-rounder Liam Livingstone was slightly more enthusiastic. He said, "We witnessed a masterclass in T20 batting by Jos." "As clinical and as practical as it can be."
Stuart Law, a former Australia batter, said that it was a terrible evening for Australia.
This format has proven to be a success for England. They have confidence in their roles and are very familiar with them. It makes the game so much easier.
England's bowlers are the key to their success
England won the match with early wickets, no matter how impressive the chase.
The Dubai lights provided a great environment for seamers to move and England won the third match in succession with two wickets.
Warner was removed by Woakes with his second ball. He was caught behind off a thin edge and scored one. Maxwell was then trapped lbw for six.
Between the wickets, Woakes leapt backwards at midfield to hold Smith off Chris Jordan. Bairstow then took a great tumbling catch at longoff to cap an almost faultless England fielding performance.
Jordan caught Finch at long-off, and bowled Pat Cummins 12 runs with a perfect yorker. This gave him figures of 3-17. His best T20 score for England since 2019.
Liam Livingstone was also effective, conceding just 15 runs in just four overs. This included the wicket of Matthew Wade.
It was the entire England performance.
The huge contrast between the two innings was evident in the worm's display
"Buttler played a helluva innings" - that's what they said
Eoin Morgan, England captain: "Jason was the man of match last time. He showed that intent again this time. Then Jos followed his lead and kicked on.
"They set up the chase, and made it very comfortable in the end."
Aaron Finch, Australia captain: "England bowled very well and put us on our back foot early. That is why they have been the most successful in the world for quite a while."
"We had no choice but to bowl them out. But Jos Buttler pitched a great innings. It was one of those nights.
