More 'question marks' lingering over Aussies' T20 World Cup title defence after series defeat

 Greater uncertainty is hanging over the Australians in their pursuit to defend their T20 World Cup triumph after England bagged a series victory in Canberra on Wednesday night.

Australia fielded what it thought was its best XI for the second of three T20s against England, but the hosts fell eight runs short at Manuka Oval in a chase of 179 to win.

England quick Sam Curran was crucial to the visitors' win, capturing 3-25 from four overs.

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He dealt Australia a destructive blow in the 18th over, bowling danger man Tim David around the legs and conceding just three runs from his six balls.

At the beginning of the 18th over, David and late-innings hero Matthew Wade were at the crease and Australia had 34 runs to win from 18 balls.

Mark Waugh described the ball that removed David, who made 40 runs from 23 deliveries, as an "absolutely perfectly pitched yorker" on the Fox Cricket broadcast.

Adam Gilchrist praised England and raised concern for Australia following the game.

"I think 'calmness' is the word I would use to describe this team," Gilchrist said of England on the Fox Cricket coverage.

"They didn't show any signs of panic — not tonight, not on Sunday night in Perth.

"There's a fair bit now for Australia to think about. It's certainly far from panic stations, but ... they thought they were playing their best XI tonight. A few little question marks around how certain individuals are feeling."

Helped by several dropped catches, England posted 7-178.

First drop Dawid Malan (82 runs from 49 balls) spearheaded the visitors' innings, while all-rounder Moeen Ali chimed in with 44 from 27.

"Over the moon," said Malan, who was awarded player of the match.

"Nice to score runs and contribute to a win.

"Knowledge of the grounds helps.

"I didn't have a great Big Bash, but I've found my rhythm. Hopefully I can keep the runs coming."

Australian captain Aaron Finch took positives and negatives from the match.

"We were really poor in the field, pretty sloppy," Finch said.

"David has been fantastic, his raw power has been fantastic.

"Depends on the opposition, but (this XI) is close. Debate about one or two spots.

"A nice luxury to have three world-class quicks.

"Trying different things with bowling distribution."

Although the series loss put the Australians on shakier ground ahead of the World Cup, it must be remembered they won last year's edition despite struggling during the lead-up to the tournament and being smashed by England on the way to the final.

The Australians lost their last five T20 series prior to the World Cup, against England, India, New Zealand, West Indies and Bangladesh.

They were then brutalised in an eight-wicket defeat to England during the World Cup, with Jos Buttler propelling the Poms to victory in only 11.4 overs.

The Australians fought back to reach the final, in which they overcame New Zealand by eight wickets

Australia and England will meet in one more T20 at Manuka Oval on Friday night.

Finch's men will get their 2022 World Cup campaign underway in a match against New Zealand at the SCG on October 22..