NEWS
Follow UsOpening batsman Travis Head's quickfire innings was the cornerstone of Australia's seemingly below-par 179 all out in Southampton against England. He started in characteristic fashion, scoring 59 runs in just 23 deliveries. His form also rubbed off on his opening partner, Matthew Short, as he scored 41 runs at a strike rate of 157.69.
However, despite being 118/3 when Short fell in the 11th over, Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were all out on 179 in 19.3 overs.
But with Adam Zampa taking an economical 2-20 in a match where England's slow bowlers also impressed, it was more than enough as the hosts were dismissed for 151 to leave Australia 1-0 up in a three-match series.
"It was a nice start," said player-of-the-match Head at the presentation ceremony.
"For me, it was about using the pace well, which I think I did. 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’ve worked hard to play with a freer mindset,” the left-hander added.
Stand-in England captain Phil Salt, leading the team in place of the injured Jos Buttler, said, "Everything was good (about captaincy) apart from the result.”
Turning to Head's 23-ball innings, which featured eight fours and four sixes, Salt said, "When the ball starts flying like that, it is all about how to shut him down.
"Maybe we could have done a bit better, but it has given us something to get clarity on in the next game."
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh praised Head and opening partner Short for their "exciting" start before also lauding Zampa and experienced fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
"We're lucky to have guys like Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood in our team, especially for some of our younger guys to learn from," he said. "I went back to them and they both applied the pressure when needed."
Earlier, Australia was set for a total above 200 after being sent into bat. But Livingstone took 3-22, and fellow spinner Adil Rashid, the world's top-ranked T20I bowler, a typically economical 1-23 in his four overs as England fought back. Left-hander Head took advantage of wayward fast bowling and hit 30 runs off one Curran over. But going for another big hit, the 30-year-old holed out off Saqib Mahmood to deep square leg, where Cox held a safe catch.
Four balls later, Australia's 86-1 became 89-2 when Marsh was clean bowled by Rashid as he heaved across the line. Livingstone took two wickets in two balls, both lbw on review, when he dismissed Stoinis (10) and David, with fast bowler Jofra Archer doing the same late on.
The series continues at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens on Friday, September 13.
(With inputs from AFP)
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