Watson sets England testing target
England will need to chase down a victory target of 158 if they are to claim a record eighth consecutive win in the opening Twenty20 international against Australia in Adelaide.
England's first meeting with Australia since their seven-wicket win in the final of the World Twenty20 last May had looked set for a larger chase but for some choking bowling at the death.
Shane Watson (59) and David Warner (30) had set off the innings with a 83-run stand from 52 balls, but England battled back with Michael Yardy the pick of the bowlers with two for 27.
The tourists called Ian Bell back into their line-up for the first time in two-and-a-half years while Chris Woakes was handed a debut.
Watson and Warner's breezy start was aided when Kevin Pietersen misjudged a lofted drive from Watson, to allow the ball to fly over him for four.
Graeme Swann then joined the attack but Watson sent his first three deliveries disappearing over the mid-wicket rope. The right-hander then brought up his half-century, from 26 balls, with a straight four as Swann's opener cost 26.
Yardy stopped Watson in full flow though, angling a ball past an attempted cut, for an entertaining 59 from 31 balls.
Ajmal Shahzad then caught Warner on the mid-wicket rope to give Yardy his second wicket as Australia's scoring started to slow.
New batsmen Cameron White and David Hussey used 25 balls in a stand of 23 before the new Australia skipper gave Woakes his first international wicket, caught in the deep by Pietersen for six.
Tim Bresnan was slapped for six by Hussey (28) but bowled him next ball as Australia failed find consistency in their late hitting and finished on 157 for four.
