Wright in the runs for England (From The Argus)

Wright in the runs for England

9:22am Monday 17th September 2012 in Sport

Luke Wright gave his World Cup chances a boost as England started their ICC World Twenty20 warm-up campaign with a scrambled nine-run victory over Australia at Nondescripts CC today.

Sussex all-rounder Wright (35) shared a second-wicket stand of 88 with Alex Hales (52) as England made 172-6. Wright upped temp with two reverse-hit fours and England's first six over mid-wicket off Brad Hogg to bring up the hundred - only to fall to the last ball of the same over when he picked out deep square leg.

Mike Hussey (71) near single-handedly kept Australia's hopes alive, and England sweating, after wrecking young spinner Danny Briggs' figures with three consecutive sixes over mid-wicket.

But skipper Stuart Broad  returned to have Hussey lbw, and from there Australia ran out of steam to finish short of 172 for six.

England were playing their first practice fixture of a tournament which will begin in earnest against minnows Afghanistan at the nearby Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

Ed Joyce hit 39 as Ireland beat Bangladesh by five runs in Columbo.