Sciver-Brunt fails in T20 warm-up defeat by Australia

ICC Women's T20 World Cup warm-up, Cardiff

England 157-6 (20 overs): Capsey 45 (36); King 2-10

Australia 158-5 (18.2 overs): Perry 64 (44); Bell 2-22

Australia won by five wickets

Scorecard

Nat Sciver-Brunt made a scratchy three from seven balls upon her return from injury as England suffered a five-wicket defeat by Australia in their T20 World Cup warm-up in Cardiff.

Australia, who are six-time T20 world champions, served a reminder of their class as they cruised to their target of 158 with 10 balls to spare as Ellyse Perry top-scored with 64.

Sciver-Brunt missed England's preceding series wins against New Zealand and India with a calf injury and was bowled by leg-spinner Alana King's first ball as she mistimed a pull shot.

The captain batted at three and, after plenty of speculation, replaced Sophia Dunkley in England's top six as England rejigged their top order. Amy Jones was promoted to open, which is an indication of how they intend to line up for the World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Both openers also fell cheaply, though, with Jones caught at mid-off for two and Danni Wyatt-Hodge bowled for four.

Alice Capsey continued her fine form as she top-scored with 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 the 16-0 Ashes defeat last year, was the pick of the bowlers with 2-10 as she also dismissed former captain Heather Knight.

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

Beth Mooney also looked in formidable touch with 43 from 26 while Lauren Bell was England's most consistent performer again, with figures of 2-22.

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

England have rejigged their batting line-up throughout the summer, largely due to Sciver-Brunt's lack of availability, but it is a concern the top order remains out of sorts with just one warm-up game to go.

Capsey has been the standout player of the summer so far, but she has been shuffled between being an opener and a number four, while Jones found success at three against India but has now been moved again to the top.

Wyatt-Hodge is also easing her way back in after paternity leave and she was first to fall as she was bowled by Kim Garth's nip-backer before Jones chipped Megan Schutt to mid-off.

The positive to take from England's top-order wobble is that Kemp and Gibson gained valuable time in the middle to show the power-hitting capability the team desperately needs, as they both finished with strike-rates above 150.

Sciver-Brunt is playing as a specialist batter and is likely to do so throughout the tournament, but looked out of rhythm in her first knock since April as Australia's bowlers displayed relentless accuracy in the powerplay.

"I was a little bit rusty," Sciver-Brunt told BBC Sport.

"Mainly in my fielding and then with some of the thinking during the game. I've been part of plans on the outside but nothing replicates being out there.

"But it was good to be out there and get the first one out of the way, and thankfully I have another chance on Wednesday to perform out in the middle."