Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali inspire England to victory over Australia in Twenty20 international

England have followed up their impressive Ashes victory by beating Australia by five runs in a one-off Twenty20 international at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

Having been put into bat after losing the toss, Eoin Morgan's side reached 182-5 from their 20 overs thanks to respective scores of 74 and 72 from the captain and an impressive Moeen Ali. That stellar 135-run partnership was formed after Alex Hales, looking to make a good impression after Adam Lyth's struggles with the Test side this summer, was bowled for just three after missing a full toss from Pat Cummins and fellow opener Jason Roy was caught by Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Morgan was eventually caught on the boundary by Shane Watson to leave England 153-3 and 15 more runs were added before a gung-ho Jos Buttler was taken by Cummins off the bowling of Mitchell Starc. Kent right-hander Sam Billings was the final wicket to fall after being run out by stand-in skipper Steven Smith.

Set a target of 183 for victory, Australia endured a feeble start to their innings when David Warner was removed by Steven Finn off David Willey for just four. They were quickly left at 12-2 when Watson farcically attempted to kick the ball clear but missed and saw it hit the stumps.

Sanity was soon restored by a brilliant 53-ball 90 from Smith, and Glenn Maxwell was just six runs away from completing a half-century before his wicket fell thanks to a great catch from Ben Stokes off Ali. Reece Topley of Essex claimed his first T20 international victim when he bowled Mitchell Marsh for 13.

Smith was eventually caught behind by Billings as England made the crucial breakthrough. The tourists were then cleaned up in comprehensive fashion with three wickets falling inside the final over. Matthew Wade was run-out by Morgan before Coulter-Nile was caught by Adil Rashid off Stokes for a duck to leave Australia needing nine from the last two deliveries. They did not get them, however, as Morgan struck again to all but secure victory.

Victory will give England confidence heading into the upcoming five-match one dayseries which is scheduled to commence at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday 3 September.