Women’s T20 World Cup: Nat Syver-Brant falls cheaply as England lose to Australia in warm-up match

Nate Syver-Brant made three seven-ball scratches after returning from injury as England were beaten by Australia by five wickets in their World Twenty20 warm-up match in Cardiff.

Australia, who are six-time World Twenty20 champions, served a reminder of their class when they reached their target of 158 with 10 balls to spare with Ellis Perry scoring 64.

Syver-Brant missed England’s previous series wins over New Zealand and India with a calf injury and was bowled first ball by leg-spinner Alanna King as she mistimed a pull shot.

The skipper batted at number three and after much speculation was replaced by Sophia Dunkley in England’s top order. Amy Jones was promoted to open, giving an indication of how they want to line up in their World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Both openers also fell cheaply, though Jones was caught at mid-off for two and Danny Watt-Hodge was bowled for four.

Alice Capsey continued her fine form as she scored 45 to rescue England from 19-3, while all-rounders Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson added valuable cameos of 41 and 27 to help post 157-6.

King, who was England’s nemesis during last year’s 16-0 Ashes defeat, preferred the bowlers at 2-10 as he also dismissed former captain Heather Knight.

England rested Charlie Dean and Linsey Smith and changed their bowling attack to give overs to Lauren Filer, Tilly Courtin-Coleman and Capsey as Australia made light work of the chase.

Beth Munio was in great touch with 43 from 26 while Lauren Bell was England’s most consistent performer with figures of 2-22.

England take on India in their second warm-up match at the same venue on Wednesday.