WATCH: England skipper Phil Salt smashes three successive sixes against Aaron Hardie during 2nd T20I

England made a terrific comeback into the three-match T20I series against Australia on Friday night in Cardiff. The home team won a close game by 3 wickets with an over to spare as Matthew Short nearly pulled off a win with his maiden fifer in T20I cricket. 

Aaron Hardie was bowling the third over of the England innings after having conceded just 2 runs from his first over. After the first ball which saw no runs being scored, Phil Salt opened his arms. The first six saw Phil Salt walk to the bowler and pull him deep into the stands for a huge six. 

Phil Salt's full-on assault 💥#ICYMI: The England skipper hit Hardie for 3 big sixes in a row last night 👌#ENGvAUSonFanCode #RivalsForever pic.twitter.com/aDAhjV3FS7

— FanCode (@FanCode) September 14, 2024

The second six of the over was yet another pull shot deep into the stands. Aaron Hardie anticipated Phil Salt shuffle down the wicket once more. The English star though stayed put inside his crease. The third six came when Hardie bowled a length ball. The English skipper stood his ground and hit the ball down the ground into the crowd.

Liam Livingstone and Matthew Short star in an exciting encounter 

It was England skipper Phil Salt who won the toss and chose to bowl. Brydon Carse came in for Jofra Archer while Mitchell Marsh was out. Travis Head was named the skipper of the Australian side. 

Australia scored 193/6 from their 20 overs as the opening pair gave yet another great star. Travis Head and Matthew Short added 52 for the first wicket in 4.2 overs. Brydon Carse gave England the breakthrough when he dismissed Travis Head for 31. Adil Rashid then struck when he castled Matthew Short for 28 runs off 24 balls. 

The best batter for Australia was Jake Fraser-McGurk who hit 50 off 31 balls with 4 boundaries and 2 sixes. Josh Inglis gave Australia the much-needed impetus with 42 off 26 balls as he hit 5 fours and a six.

Sean Abbott then dismissed Will Jacks for 12 and Jordan Cox for a duck as England slipped to 34/2. Matthew Short then got a huge wicket as he dismissed Phil Salt for 39. Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell added 90 runs for the 4th wicket in 47 balls. 

That stand was broken when Short got the wicket of Bethell for 44 off 24 balls. In the same over Sam Curran was out for 1 when he was caught by Cooper Connolly off Short. The big wicket of Liam Livingstone for 87 brought Australia back in the game. With the wicket of Brydon Carse for a first ball duck, Matthew Short celebrated his fifer. Adil Rashid though took a single off the last ball to guide England to a series levelling win.