England thoroughly outclass Australia to clinch the series

England thumped visitors Australia for six wickets in the second T20 inernational at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton to clinch the series 2-0 with one match remaining. wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler led the chase for England with a scintillating 54-ball 77.

Chasing down a decent target of 158, England couldn't start as well as they would've liked. Opener Jonny Bairstow got out hit wicket, becoming the first-ever England batsman to get out in this fashion.

But Dawid Malan, the number three batsman, started from where he left off in the first match. The southpaw stitched an excellent partnership of 87 with Buttler before getting dismissed for a well-made 42. 

Australia got a couple of quick wickets to make things slightly interesting but Buttler ensured that England didn't lose the way. His unbeaten knock of 77 studded with eight fours and two sixes, one of them being in the last delivery of the match.   

Earlier, he visitors, unlike the first T20 international, chose to bat first on the same pitch that was used in the first match. England bowlers made early inroads as they sent back two Aussie batsmen to the pavilion. Jofra Archer dismissed David Warner in the very first over before Mark Wood got rid of Alex Carey who was promoted to number three. 

However, the regular number three batsman Steven Smith who came in at four couldn't carry on too as he was dismissed run out courtesy a spectacular direct throw by England Captain Eoin Morgan. Marcus Stoinis put on a handy 49 with Aaron Finch for the fourth wicket before both of them perished in space of 10 runs. All-rounder Chris Jordan accounted for both the wickets.

Glenn Maxwell and Ashton Agar kept the scoreboard moving and a couple of lasty blows from Pat Cummins in the last over off Archer powered Australia to 157 for seven. England got there with seven deliveries to spare.

This is the first series that Australia are part of after the Covid-19 hiatus. Aaron Finch's side will face hosts England in the third and final T20 international on Tuesday.