The opener Travis Head smashed a 19-ball half-century helping the side to secure a win in the first T20I match of Australia’s tour of England 2024 at Southampton. Travis Head also joined the list of Australia’s elite batters to score 30 runs in a single over from Sam Curran.
It was the fourth time this year, that Head scored a half-century at the T20I level and continued that form that has seen the left-hander rise to the top of the ICC Men’s T20I batter rankings and claim the No.1 ranked player in the world.
England suffered a 28-run defeat to rivals Australia in the first T20I at Utilita bowl where he forged a 86-run partnership before the side collapsed for 179 runs all-out.
England spinner Liam Livingstone picked three wickets for 22 runs and Jofra Archer picked 2 wickets for 31 runs which saw the Aussies lose their final seven wickets for 47 runs.
Not a bad group of players to join 👀
Travis Head is in fine fettle 🏏
More from #ENGvAUS 👉 https://t.co/sNox5CiNjc pic.twitter.com/uk4wE7kWM7
— ICC (@ICC) September 12, 2024
England began their dramatic fashion after captain Phil Salt was caught off a no-ball but the hosts managed to stumble to 46-3 by the end of powerplay with debutant Jordan Cox scoring 17.
Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran stitched a 54-run partnership before getting dismissed by Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott respectively.
England required 35 runs from the final over and Australia completed a dominant 28-run victory as Abbott splayed Saqib Mahmood’s stumps.
While speaking in the post-match conference, Travis Head said, “Nice start. Nice to get away quickly. I just tried to score. The wickets against Scotland were very different. We were trying to use the pace on the ball. Guys have been playing together for the last couple of years. The coach and captain want me to bat freely. I try to whack it every time.”
The 28-run triumph in the first T20I helped the side to lead the series 1-0, Australia will be playing their second T20I on September 13 at Sophia Gardens.
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