In a five-over spell Australia scored 70 runs, hitting seven of the 13 bruising sixes in their innings.
England scrapped to keep themselves in the game but that proved too big an advantage to overhaul.
Defeat leaves Jos Buttler’s side in a perilous position in their group, likely needing to beat Oman and Namibia well to progress to the Super 8 stage at the expense of a Scotland side who would like nothing more than to dump out their rivals.
But, perhaps more importantly, it brings back to the surface familiar questions about the direction of this England white-ball side under captain Buttler and coach Matthew Mott.
The Jacksperiment in Bridgetown – part-timer Will Jacks bowling the second over which began with two sixes and cost 22 runs – can now be added to list of missteps during last year’s 50-over World Cup in India, that included the selection hokey-cokey in the opening games and the decision to bowl first in the Mumbai heat against South Africa.
These decisions are easy to criticise in hindsight but at some stage their bold calls have to start coming off.
Afterwards Buttler said bowling Jacks, making it the first time England have begun with two spinners in a T20, was a “gut call”, having seen Moeen Ali’s opener cost only three runs.
But part-time off-spinner Jacks had only bowled two overs in T20s for England.
Seamer Jofra Archer, who has dismissed Warner nine times in 19 overs across formats, was waiting in the deep. Ask Warner or Head who they would rather face and there would be only one answer.
This was a case of England overthinking.
England have selected a group with mixed experience for their first 50-over assignment since Matthew Mott’s resignation, starting the process of transition fo
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