Jos Buttler hits a majestic 71 as England record an eight-wicket victory over Australia at the T20 World Cup.
While Eoin Morgan's team excelled in wins over West Indies and Bangladesh, they produced a performance of ruthlessness and brutality in thrashing their fierce rivals.
After winning the toss and opting to field first, England's bowlers quickly went to work with David Warner (1), Steve Smith (1) and Glenn Maxwell (6) all being removed before the end of the fourth over.
Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan shared the opening three wickets before Adil Rashid struck with his first ball, removing Marcus Stoinis for a duck.
However, with the middle-order offering plenty of support, opener Aaron Finch held the innings together, scoring 44 off 49 deliveries before holing out to Jonny Bairstow.
At one stage, it appeared that Australia would struggle to reach triple figures, but Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc shared five sixes to help their team to 125 all out off 20 overs.
Although Australia were the clear outsiders to win, they would not have expected to have been blown during the opening overs of England's reply as Buttler ran riot.
During an innings where he hit his 300th maximum in T20 internationals, Buttler scored 71 off just 32 deliveries, recording five fours and five sixes.
Jason Roy contributed a valuable 22 as he put on 66 with Buttler for the opening wicket, while Bairstow helped get England over the line with a couple of sixes during an 11-ball 16.
After winning with 50 balls to spare, England will all but guarantee their place in the semi-finals if they defeat Sri Lanka on Monday.
Darren Plant
