England v Australia warm-up: Steve Smith hits ton as Aaron Finch's side earn narrow win

England fell to a 12-run defeat by Australia in a thrilling World Cup warm-up match in Southampton after Steve Smith's first century since being banned for his part in the ball-tampering scandal.

Smith hit 116 off 102 balls in an impressively composed innings to steer his side to 297-9.

James Vince and Jos Buttler struck fine fifties to seemingly put England on course for victory, only for Australia to regularly peg the hosts back.

Needing 15 off the last over, England lost their two final wickets to end a disappointing and disjointed chase.

England, who also sustained a series of injury worries, face Afghanistan in another warm-up on Monday before facing South Africa in Thursday's World Cup opener.

Defending champions Australia begin their campaign against Afghanistan on 1 June after a warm-up match against Sri Lanka on Monday.

Even in an unofficial match with relaxed rules - Australia named a team of 12 and England were able to bring in substitutes for injured players - the hosts were expected to comfortably chase down a target of under 300.

The pitch offered some variable bounce, with both openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow caught off miscued shots, and off-spinner Nathan Lyon was especially canny - but England will be frustrated to have fallen short, even if the result is not likely to have much of an impact on their World Cup campaign.

Having to miss Hampshire's One-Day Cup defeat by Somerset at Lord's, Vince emulated England's usual number three Joe Root with an innings of deft accumulation, clips through mid-wicket and mid-on accompanying his trademark cover drives.

Buttler changed the tempo of the chase in the 27th over by smacking Nathan Coulter-Nile for 24 off six balls, including two brilliant sixes down the ground and over square leg.

He surged to 52 off 30 balls, only to fall to the next delivery when he tamely chipped Coulter-Nile to Usman Khawaja - before Vince guided the ball straight to Lyon in the trap at short third man for 64.