The Hussey brothers endured mixed fortunes on Monday as Mike top-scored with 71 in Australia’s warm-up loss to England, while David was left out of the side with his World Twenty20 selection hopes now in doubt.

After being invited to bat in steamy conditions, Alex Hales (52) and Luke Wright (35) shared a second-wicket partnership of 88 in England’s 6-172.

Spinner Brad Hogg and paceman Mitchell Starc claimed two wickets each but the bowlers struggled for accuracy and conceded 14 wides.

Australia replied with 6-163 at Colombo’s Nondescripts Cricket Club ground.

David Warner made a third-ball duck but fellow opener Shane Watson (37 off 26 balls) gave Australia an excellent start by hitting three sixes in a brisk 74-run stand with Hussey.

Cameron White continued his run of low scores when he was stumped for nine to Danny Briggs after making 20 runs in the three-game Pakistan series and eight in Saturday’s warm-up match against New Zealand.

Hussey put Australia back in the run chase with a 24-run effort in the 16th over which included three consecutive sixes over mid-wicket as spinner Danny Briggs’s figures blew out from 1-15 to 1-39.

But England captain Stuart Broad struck in the following over to trap Hussey lbw at 4-140 after a 51-ball innings that included three fours and five sixes.

George Bailey (three) and Glenn Maxwell (18) soon followed.

Dan Christian and Matthew Wade were faced with the task of scoring 22 off the last over but Tim Bresnan conceded only 12.

Steven Finn bowled well for England, taking 2-26 including a maiden.

David Hussey’s omission seems a victory for Christian who’s set to play in Wednesday’s opening Group B match against Ireland alongside fellow allrounder Glenn Maxwell.