Openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler blasted half-centuries to lead England to an eight-run win over Australia on Sunday in the first of three warm-up games before the T20 World Cup starts later this month.

England powered to 208/6 after losing the toss, a commanding total which proved too much for Australia despite a gallant 44-ball 73 from David Warner.

The world champions scored 200/9 in their 20 overs, disappointing a 25,755-strong crowd starved of international cricket for nearly three years due to strict border controls in Western Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fresh off a 4-3 series win against Pakistan, England welcomed Buttler (68 off 32 balls) and firebrand Ben Stokes back into the team as they look to settle their lineup.

The skipper combined with Hales (84 from 51) to find the rope 27 times, capitalising on Australia’s decision to experiment with all-rounders instead of specialist seamers in the series opener.

With the ball, speedsterMark Wood (3/34) excelled for England.

The match also saw a bit of controversy when Matthew Wade looked guilty of obstructing Wood from taking a catch. The umpires checked with Buttler if he wanted to appeal against Wade for obstructing the field, but he declined. “They asked if I wanted to appeal and I said ‘no’. I’ve only just got to Australia so I thought just carry on with the game,” Buttler said later.

Brief scores: England 208/6 in 20 overs (Alex Hales 84, Jos Buttler 68). Australia 200/9 in 20 overs (David warner 73; Mark Wood 3/34). England won by 8 runs