Colombo: England beat Australia by nine runs in Colombo in a World Twenty20 warm-up ahead of the tournament starting on Tuesday.

Defending champions England made 172-6, opener Alex Hales top-scoring with 52 from 38 balls, including seven fours.

Mike Hussey looked like he might lead his side to victory but he was dismissed for 71 in the 17th over and Australia finished on 163-6.

It was England's fifth successive win over Australia this year after a 4-0 one-day series victory in the summer. The World Twenty20 starts on Tuesday.

However, England have another warm-up against Pakistan on Wednesday before their tournament opener against Afghanistan on Friday.

Nottinghamshire batsman Hales got England off to a solid start while Luke Wright (35) and Eoin Morgan (30) also weighed in at the top of the order.

Aussie opener Shane Watson made 37 in reply and put on 74 with Hussey, who hit Hampshire spinner Danny Briggs for three consecutive sixes and hit five sixes in all.

But England skipper Stuart Broad dismissed Hussey lbw and the Australia lower order were not able to maintain the momentum.

Steve Finn (2-26) and Graeme Swann (1-21) were the pick of the England bowlers.