Jos Buttler continued his fine form with the bat by scoring a brilliant unbeaten 77, as England beat Australia by six wickets in the second Twenty20 international at Southampton on Sunday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the visitors started disastrously as Jofra Archer removed the dangerous David Warner caught behind for a third ball duck.
Alex Carey who was promoted at No 3 in place of star batsman Steve Smith, failed to make use of the opportunity as he edged a Mark Wood delivery to wicket keeper Buttler for 2.
Steve Smith who looked good in his short stay was run out by a brilliant direct hit throw from England captain Eoin Morgan , as the Aussies were in a spot of bother at 30/3.
Australia skipper Aaron Finch along with Marcus Stoinis brought the innings back on track with a steady 49 run stand for the fourth wicket stand, before Finch dragged a short ball from Chris Jordan onto his stumps. Stoinis after scoring a quickfire 35 fell to Adil Rashid.
Glenn Maxwell and Ashton Agar provided some sort of respectablity with a valuable 43 run stand for the sixth wicket stand, before Maxwell fell to Jordan for 26.
Pat Cummins in the end with some lusty hitting in the end took Australia to a competitive total of 157/7 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.
Chris Jordan was England’s best bowler as he finished with figures of 2/40, while Archer, Wood and Rashid claimed a wicket each.
Chasing 158, Jonny Bairstow was out hit wicket off Mitchell Starc for 9.
Buttler and Malan put England in command with a 87 run stand for the second wicket, before the left hander was caught at deep mid wicket by Stoinis off Agar for 42. There was a bit of stutter in the middle as Tom Banton (2) and skipper Morgan (7) fell cheaply.
With 18 requiring off 12 balls, Moeen Ali smashed Adam Zampa over long-off for six and a four, before Buttler finished the match in style with a huge straight six off Zampa.
England reached the target of 158, with seven balls to spare and also took an unbeaten 2-0 lead in a three-match series.
The final match will be played at Southampton on Tuesday.