England demolish Australia in brutal eight-wicket T20 World Cup victory

England recorded their third emphatic victory in three T20 World Cup matches – but this was the sweetest yet.

Eoin Morgan's side demolished their old enemy Australia by eight wickets to all but secure their place in the semi-finals with two group games still to play.

Jos Buttler bludgeoned a brutal 71 from just 32 balls with five fours and five sixes as England chased down their target of 126 with 50 balls to spare.

It was built on the foundations of another solid bowling performance, with Australia being bowled out for just 125 in their 20 overs.

Chris Jordan was the pick of England's bowlers, taking 3-17 from his four overs including the prized scalps of Steve Smith for one and Aaron Finch, who top scored with 44.

Chris Woakes continued his good form with the ball taking 2-23, removing David Warner for a single and Glenn Maxwell for six.

Adil Rashid was also economical, conceding just 19 runs from his four overs, and picking up the wicket of Marcus Stoinis for a duck.

Liam Livingstone was similarly miserly, taking the wicket of Matthew Wade for 18 and restricting the Aussies to 15 runs from his four-over quota.

Tymal Mills was expensive going for 45, but did pick up the scalps of Ashton Agar (20) and Mitchell Starc (13) with the last ball of the game.

In response, England openers Jason Roy and Buttler got them off to a flier.

They were 66-0 after the six-over powerplay before Roy was trapped LBW on review by Adam Zampa for 22.

Dawid Malan managed just eight before he edged Ashton Agar behind to Matthew Wade.

But Buttler was unrelenting in his aggression – reaching his 50 from just 25 balls, the joint-fastest of the tournament – and Jonny Bairstow joined the party with a couple of maximums of his own in his cameo of 16* to get England over the line.

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