Australia made it three wins out of three in the Trans-Tasman T20I tri-series when they beat England by seven wickets at Melbourne on Saturday.
The hosts restricted England to an under-par 137-7 in their 20 overs after electing to field first before chasing down the target in the 15th over to inflict a second consecutive defeat on the visitors.
Here, we look at some key stats from Saturday’s clash.
THREE IN THREE AT THE MCG FOR THE AUSSIES
The win ensured Australia’s perfect record against England in T20s at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The hosts have now won all three T20 matches at the venue against their old foes. They had recorded a narrow four-run victory in 2011 over Paul Collingwood’s men after being setting a target of 148. In 2014, a George Bailey-led side had registered a thumping eight-wicket win over England in a similar chase of 131.
JOS BUTTLER’S STRUGGLE
On a difficult track to score on, England’s stand-in skipper Jos Buttler was the lone ranger with the bat with a 49-ball 46. England’s struggles were exemplified through Buttler’s innings with his strike-rate of around 93 being only the second time he has gone at less than run-a-ball in T20 cricket after facing more than 25 deliveries. The first instance also came against the Aussies at the MCG in 2014 where Buttler scored a 27-ball 22.
GLENN MAXWELL OVERTAKES CAMERON WHITE
When Glenn Maxwell drove Liam Dawson for a single in the eighth over of the chase, he overtook Cameron White to become the fourth highest run-getter for Australia in T20 internationals. That single took his tally to 985 runs, which is only behind David Warner (1708), Shane Watson (1462) and Aaron Finch (1152).
ENGLAND’S AUSTRALIA HOODOO
With Saturday’s defeat, England have now lost five of their last six T20I encounters against the Australians. Their sole victory during this run came in August 2015 when they beat the Aussies by five runs at Cardiff.
Out of the 16 T20I played between the two sides now, Australia have won nine with England winning only five times while two matches fetched no results.