England were convincingly beaten by defending champions Australia in their first T20 World Cup warm-up in Dubai.
Heather Knight’s side started well in pursuit of 163 to win, but slumped from 90-2 to 105-8 in the space of five overs.
Alice Capsey top-scored with 40 from 34 balls but was the only England batter to pass 20 as they were bowled out for 129 in 19.4 overs, to lose by 33 runs.
The World Cup starts on Thursday with Bangladesh taking on tournament debutants Scotland, while England’s first game is against Bangladesh on Saturday, 5 October.
Australia’s 162-6 was set up by opener Beth Mooney’s 50 from 30 balls while powerful all-rounders Tahlia McGrath and Ash Gardner added cameos of 31 and 21 respectively.
England’s only frontline seamer Lauren Bell was the pick of the bowlers with 2-29, with a wicket apiece for Nat Sciver-Brunt and spinners Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean.
