Aussies off to winning start

Australia has quickly shrugged off the disappointment of exiting in the Super 12's stage of a home T20 World Cup, defeating England by 6 wickets at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

Half centuries for David Warner (86), Travis Head (69) and Steve Smith (80*) led Australia to their target of 288 with 19 balls remaining.

Earlier England posted 9/286 having been sent in to bat, recovering from 4/66 and later 5/119 thanks to a fine century from Dawid Malan, who posted 134 from 128 balls batting at number three to record his second ODI hundred.

Pat Cummins did the early damage before finishing with 3/62 in his first match as Australian ODI captain, Adam Zampa also with three victims.

While going wicketless with the ball Ashton Agar produced two moments of brilliance in the field, saving a certain six off the bat of Malan with some quick thinking on the boundary, throwing the ball back in to play to save runs for his side while also producing a direct hit run out from point to run out Liam Dawson.

England's score was only par on a good batting wicket in Adelaide, an opening partnership of 147 inside 20 overs from left handed opening duo David Warner and Travis Head almost putting the resuly beyond doubt.

Head bludgeoned 69 as he looks to solidify his spot opening the innings following the retirement of Aaron Finch, while Warner shrugged off a disappointing World Cup to make 86 from 84 balls, striking 10 fours and one six.

From there it was Steve Smith who pushed Australia to their target, a second string England attack lacking penetration just four days after their World T20 triumph.

Smith was unbeaten on 80 as victory arrived in the 47th over, David Willey the only multiple wicket taker for England.

The second of three ODI's will be played in Sydney on Sunday.

IMAGE: BBC.