Eoin Morgan inspires England T20 win over Australia

Twenty20 international, Cardiff

England 182-5 (20 overs): Morgan 74, Moeen 72*; Cummins 2-25

Australia 177-8 (20 overs): Smith 90, Willey 2-34

England won by five runs

England captain Eoin Morgan struck seven sixes in a thrilling 74 as his team beat Australia by five runs in a tense one-off Twenty20 at Cardiff. 

Morgan and Moeen Ali (72 not out) shared a third-wicket partnership of 135 in 75 deliveries as the hosts smashed their way to 182-5.

However, in reply Australia looked to be coasting home as captain Steve Smith hit an imperious 90 from 53 balls.

But he was caught with 18 still needed as Australia lost 5-16 in 14 balls.

A total beyond 200 looked likely with Morgan in full flow, and in his first innings for 30 days following a break from the game the Dublin-born left-hander passed Kevin Pietersen to become England's highest T20 run-scorer.

But when he was caught on the boundary rope by Shane Watson attempting to send Nathan Coulter-Nile for a maximum England managed just 29 runs off the final 22 balls.

When Australia batted, the recalled Watson was dismissed in bizarre fashion as he defended a good length delivery from Steven Finn but with the ball heading towards the stumps, the 34-year-old failed to kick clear and was bowled.

Smith shared a stand of 112 with the dangerous Glenn Maxwell, who was brilliantly caught in the deep by Ben Stokes off man-of-the-match Moeen's first ball.

The captain's unorthodox but cleaning hitting produced seven fours and four sixes and brought up a first half-century in his 17th T20.

However, David Willey made the crucial breakthrough as Smith looked to clear deep mid-wicket but could only pick out Sam Billings.

With the visitors requiring 12 from the final over, they lost three wickets - including the run outs of Michael Wade and Pat Cummins - as Stokes held his nerve brilliantly to clinch another victory for England over Australia, following their Ashes success this summer.

The teams now contest a five-match one-day international series, beginning at Southampton on Thursday.

                                Ben Stokes runs out Pat Cummins in the final over of the match 

Man of the match Moeen Ali, speaking on Sky Sports: "It was a great game. It is good to contribute. I thought we were 10-15 runs light but we bowled well, especially at the end. I am happy to bat wherever.

"To get the wicket of Maxwell was a big thing. Hopefully I'll bowl more in the ODIs. We are confident and playing well."

Captain's reaction

England captain Eoin Morgan, when asked if England have enough T20 matches before next year's World Cup: "It's not enough. We're trying to keep as many guys in and around the squad who are part of our one-day and T20 future. That will make it easier."

Australia captain Steven Smith on Sky Sports: "It was one of those games. Similar innings from both teams. At the end , England were able to hit a few more boundaries, which made the difference. We were hot and cold with the ball but credit to Eoin and Moeen.

"Pat Cummins was getting the ball through nicely. It is good to see the young fella back playing. All those young players are raring to go for the one-day series.

"We couldn't get another partnership going after me and Glenn [Maxwell] and that was a big difference. We were in a good position but the middle order couldn't get a boundary away at a crucial time to leave us in a better position in the last two overs."

The two teams meet again in Southampton on Thursday for the beginning of the five-game 50-over series.

Judging by this game, it should be an entertaining set of ODIs. The perfect way to round off a memorable summer.