In the 1st T20I of the three-match series at the Rose Bowl, Australia defeated England by 28 runs, spearheaded by Travis Head’s scorching 23-ball 59. Travis Head’s 59 runs and Adam Zampa’s economical spell with two wickets helped Australia gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Opening batsman Head’s quickfire knock was the foundation of Australia’s total of 179. But with Zampa producing an economical and wicket-taking spell of 2-20 in a contest where England’s slow bowlers also impressed, it was more than enough as the hosts were knocked for 151.
Australia was sent into bat after a downpour postponed the toss, but they were unable to build on their explosive start, losing all 10 wickets for 93 runs after reaching 86 for 0 with one ball left in the powerplay. Matt Short and Head struck four or six off 15 of the first 35 balls, with Head scoring just a little less quickly than he did during his incredible 80 off 25 against Scotland a week earlier.
After the field stretched, England’s bowlers rallied, with Livingstone and Adil Rashid, their two leg spinners, bowling a combined 4 for 45 from seven overs. Australia was bowled out for 179 with three balls remaining after taking regular wickets over the second part of the innings.
With Phil Salt serving as interim captain and Marcus Trescothick as coach, the England team appeared fleeting as they rapidly fell to 52 for 4 in their chase of 180. Despite adding 54 for the fifth wicket, Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran—both of whom are left out of the ODI team for next week—saw England’s inning crumble in the cold.
During the run chase, the temperature plunged to single digits, and England’s batters could hardly warm the 15,011 spectators by setting off the pyrotechnics that welcomed each boundary. Following his return from a calf strain, Hazlewood struck in his opening over to have Jacks caught at long leg, and England found it difficult to maintain the required rate.
Jordan Cox was dismissed on his debut for his country thanks to a spectacular outfield catch made by David Warner, who was running back from mid-on to deep midwicket and diving at full stretch. England’s problems deepened when Salt picked out Short at deep square leg on the last ball of the powerplay. Bethell miscalculated how long Zampa’s leg break would be before he chopped onto his stumps.
Moving up to No. 4 from his typical finishing spot, Livingstone took Stoinis for 17 in an over to offer England hope, but the match was gone when he and Curran fell within four balls of each other. The only scare for Australia was an apparent side injury for Xavier Bartlett. Cameron Green had to finish his fourth over before removing Rashid with an amazing diving catch made while sprinting back from mid-off.
Match Scorecard
Australia 179 (Head 59, Livingstone 3-22)
England 151 (Livingstone 37, Abbott 3-28)
Also Read: IND vs AUS Head to Head || IND vs ENG Head to Head in T20
