Cameron White posted his second successive half-century as Australia clinched their T20 series against England with an eight-wicket win in Friday’s game two at the MCG.
Chasing England’s 9-130, Australia scored 2-131 with 5.1 overs to spare.
White (58 not out) and George Bailey (60 not out off 28 balls) smashed their way to a 78-run partnership off 48 deliveries in front of a jubilant crowd of more than 64,000.
White appeared to have an argument with England pace bowler Jade Dernbach at the end of the match.
In his first T20 International series since October 2012, White hit nine fours from 45 balls in a follow-up to his 75 in Wednesday’s clash in Hobart.
White dominated a 48-run opening stand with Aaron Finch (10) and Glenn Maxwell holed out to the leg-side boundary at 2-53.
Bailey was savage on Dernbach who conceded 42 off three overs. Bailey finished with seven fours and three sixes in a powerful knock.
Earlier, Josh Hazlewood claimed a career-best 4-30 against England who chose to bat.
Hazlewood was named man of the match.
Jos Buttler top-scored with 22 before tailenders Stuart Broad (18 not out) and Tim Bresnan added a valuable 34-run stand for the eighth wicket.
Hazlewood bowled Bresnan and James Tredwell with the last two balls of England’s innings.
Australia’s fielding was spectacular, with Eoin Morgan (six) run out by Brad Hodge’s direct hit and Joe Root (18) also run out by the athletic Maxwell at mid-wicket.
Hodge, 39, held a diving catch at cover to dismiss dangerman and his Melbourne Stars’ teammate Luke Wright for a second-ball duck.
Legspinner James Muirhead (1-17) and comeback kid Mitchell Starc (1-19) were in top form with the ball as England failed to hit a six batting first in a T20 game for the first time since 2009.
The final game of the series will be played at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Sunday.