AUS vs ENG: Jos Buttler, Alex Hales power England to thrilling victory against Australia in 1st T20I

Jos Buttler made a winning return to the English setup as the visitors beat Australia by eight runs in a nail-biting run-fest to draw first blood in the three math T20I series. Buttler and Alex Hales' belligerence at the top set up the win for England after they posted a challenging 208 runs on the board at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Aaron Finch's ploy of continuing with Cameron Green at the top of the order failed for the third successive time as the all-rounder was dismissed cheaply in the second over. Green's dismissal proved to be a minor blip as his veteran opening partner David Warner continued from where he left off in the last encounter against the Windies.

Warner's 29-ball half-century ensured that Australia never fell behind the required rate as Mitchell Marsh (36 off 26) kept the scoreboard ticking along with the southpaw. Marsh's dismissal was followed by Aaron Finch's, who was found short at the crease after some sharp glovework from Jos Buttler. 

The visitors were smelling a comeback after dismissing the Aussie skipper, but the returning Marcus Stoinis had other ideas as he marmalized the English bowlers with absolute disdain. The power-hitting brute got the hosts close to the target with his 35 off 15 deliveries. The momentum swung yet again after Mark Wood's express fast bowling got rid of the dangerous Stoinis and Tim David in the same over to set up a tense finale.

Warner and Matthew Wade dared to take Australia over the line, but Wood returned for another exceptional over at the death to remove the former, swinging the match in favor of the visitors. Wade's dismissal in the final over ensured England's victory by eight runs in an enthralling series opener.

Jos Buttler and Alex Hales' mammoth stand set up the win for England in the first T20I

Earlier, Australian skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to field first on an absolute belter in Perth. Finch's decision backfired for the Aussies as the returning Jos Buttler took a liking to the second-string Australian bowlers. The English skipper along with Alex Hales launched a scathing assault on the home side, registering 132 runs in just 11.2 overs in an explosive opening stand.

Both Buttler and Hales got to their respective half-centuries in less than 30 deliveries as they continued to plunder the erratic Australian bowlers. Buttler's demise in the 12th over after a punishing knock of 68 runs in just 32 deliveries gave the home side a glimmer of hope, who continued to chip in at the wickets.

Hales, who got the nod over the in-form Phil Salt, was dismissed in the 16th over after a blistering 84 off 51 deliveries. His dismissal saw the Australian bowlers claw their way back into the match as the English batters struggled for timing at the fag end of the innings. Chris Woakes (13 off 5) took England to a par total of 208 runs at the end of their 20 overs.

While all the other Aussie bowlers were taken to the cleaners, Nathan Ellis produced fabulous bowling figures of 3/20 in his four overs. His variations with the ball troubled the Englishmen throughout the innings.

Here is how Twitter reacted to a nail-biting run-fest in Perth: