Inserted after losing the toss, England slumped to 19-3, with captain Nat Sciver-Brunt scoring three on her return to the side after Danni Wyatt-Hodge (4) and Amy Jones (2) were dismissed.
England were indebted to Alice Capsey (45 off 36 balls) and Freya Kemp (41 off 27 balls) for salvaging their innings as Australia were set 158 for victory at Sophia Gardens.
- Scorecard: England vs Australia, T20I, Cardiff
- Stream T20 World Cup matches FREE in Sky Sports App
- Watch the Women's T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports and NOW
But Australia made light work of the run chase. Beth Mooney (43 off 26) and Georgia Voll's 51-run stand for the opening wicket, laying the foundations for Ellyse Perry's 64 off 44 before Tahlia McGrath hit the winning runs with 10 balls to spare.
England return to Cardiff to face India in their final T20 World Cup warm-up on Wednesday before kicking off the tournament against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday, live on Sky Sports.
More to follow.
England's Women's T20 World Cup fixtures
All games live on Sky Sports, all times UK and Ireland
- Friday June 12: England vs Sri Lanka, Edgbaston 6.30pm
- Tuesday June 16: England vs Ireland, Hampshire Bowl 6.30pm
- Saturday June 20: England vs Scotland, Headingley 6.30pm
- Wednesday June 24: England vs West Indies, Lord's 6.30pm
- Saturday June 27: England vs New Zealand, The Oval 6.30pm
Stream T20 World Cup matches FREE
Everyone can stream all 12 group matches involving England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as the semi-finals and final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup live for FREE on the Sky Sports App.
All you have to do is download the latest version of the Sky Sports App onto your phone or tablet and log in.
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Watch every ball of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW, starting with England vs Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday.
