Travis Head showcased a scintillating display of power-hitting in the first T20I against England in Southampton, providing the perfect start for Australia in the series. It took Head just seven balls to get going, hitting his first boundary with an elegant off drive off Jofra Archer. From there, he switched gears rapidly, moving from 3 off 6 balls to 15 off 10, hammering Archer for three fours in the third over of the match.
💥 Travis Head smashes 30 runs off a Sam Curran over to power #Australia to victory over England 🏏💪
More @7NewsAdelaide 11:30am-4pm-6pm pic.twitter.com/SOqcYv008w
— John Casey (@JohnCasey2880) September 11, 2024
Head’s Onslaught on Sam Curran
The fireworks truly began when Head faced Sam Curran in the fifth over. He reserved his most aggressive play for the England all-rounder, smashing him for three fours and three sixes to collect a massive 30 runs in the over. The assault began with a boundary over mid-on off a slower ball from Curran, followed by a beautifully timed shot through the off-side. Head, in his usual attacking style, showed no signs of slowing down, especially after his record-breaking performance against Scotland the previous week.
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Head’s first six came with a commanding short-arm pull over deep square leg, displaying his immense power and precision. Despite Curran’s attempts to adjust his length, Head continued his rampage. He sent the next delivery soaring over the ropes with a front-foot swing across the line, and his third consecutive six came off a full, wide delivery that he elegantly drove over covers, sending the ball deep into the stands. The over concluded with a powerful one-bounce four, further highlighting Head’s dominance.
“I’d love to go out and whack it every time,” Head commented after his explosive innings. “I know that’s not going to be the case every time, but I’m in a nice bit of form at the moment and I want to continue that. I’m taking my chances.”
Australia Off to a Flying Start Despite Middle-Order Collapse
Head’s whirlwind half-century, which came off just 19 balls, included eight fours and four sixes, giving Australia a blazing start. Alongside Matthew Short, who contributed 41 off 26 balls, Head built an 86-run opening partnership that set a strong foundation. However, Australia’s innings saw a dramatic shift after Head’s dismissal to Saqib Mahmood. The introduction of spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone slowed the momentum, causing a middle-order collapse. Despite being 86/1 in the powerplay and 118/2 after 10 overs, Australia’s last eight wickets fell for just 61 runs, with the team being restricted to 179, a below-par total given their strong start.
England Falters Under Pressure, Australia’s Fielding Shines
Chasing 180, England’s revamped T20 side, missing their captain Jos Buttler, struggled against Australia’s disciplined bowling and exceptional fielding. England’s top order crumbled to 52-4, and despite a brief fightback by Liam Livingstone (37) and Sam Curran (18), the hosts couldn’t maintain their footing. A critical moment came when Tim David took a stunning diving catch to dismiss Jordan Cox, demonstrating Australia’s sharpness in the field.
England’s hopes dimmed further when they lost three wickets in just 10 balls, slumping to 113-7. Ultimately, they were bowled out for 151, handing Australia a comprehensive victory. Reflecting on the match, England’s Phil Salt remarked, “Heady came out swinging in the powerplay and gave them a head start but we dragged it back quite nicely in the middle.”
“He can do that,” Salt added about Head. “He’s done that all over the place for a couple of years now … every ball is an event in its own right.”
Series Continues with England Seeking Redemption
With the first T20I behind them, the teams will face off again in Cardiff on Friday and Manchester on Sunday. Following the T20 series, a five-match ODI series awaits, with England hoping to see the return of their white-ball captain Jos Buttler, who is recovering from a right calf injury.
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