Openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler smashed a new look Australian attack to all parts of the ground as England set the hosts a target of 209 in the first T20 International in Perth on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hales blasted 84 runs from 51 balls and Buttler 68 from 32 deliveries in a dominant display of power hitting.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australian captain Aaron Finch earlier won the toss and chose to bowl, making five changes to the side that beat the West Indies last week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Among the changes was the decision to rest pace trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood and leg spinner Adam Zampa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Their replacements failed to come to terms with the powerful stroke play of the England opening pair, who hit 20 fours and seven sixes between them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Buttler, back in the side after a two-month injury lay-off, showed no signs of rust as he blasted 16 runs off the first over, hitting Cameron Green for four boundaries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He and Hales smashed 50 off the first five overs and brought up the 100 in just the ninth over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nathan Ellis (3-20) was the pick of the bowlers and finally made the breakthrough when Buttler attempted to hit down the ground, only to miscue to mid-off, where Kane Richardson took a comfortable catch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ben Stokes came and went for nine before Hales was caught in the deep off Richardson to leave England 167-3 midway through the 16th over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n