Thanks to an outstanding bowling effort by leg-spinner Adam Zampa and an explosive opening performance by Travis Head, Australia defeated England by 28 runs in the inaugural Twenty20 International in Southampton.
Australia failed to completely capitalise on a quick start by Head (59 off 23 balls) and his opening partner Matt Short (41 off 26 balls), as they were bowled out for 179 in 19.3 overs on Thursday morning (AEST). At the Rose Bowl, the two combined for an opening stand of 86 runs.
Australia‘s run rate was slowed down throughout the middle overs by England’s leg-spinners Adil Rashid (1-23) and Liam Livingstone (3-22), with several bad shots from the visitors helping England’s cause. Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood, both fast bowlers, then elegantly ended the Australian tail.Australia lost 8-61 after the drinks break, despite having raced to 2-118 in the opening 10 overs.
Led by an impressive bowling display from Adam Zampa and a blistering start from Travis Head, Australia emerged victorious over England by a margin of 28 runs in the inaugural Twenty20 International held in Southampton. However, Australia couldn’t fully capitalize on the early momentum provided by Head (59 off 23 balls) and Matt Short (41 off 26 balls), as they were dismissed for 179 in 19.3 overs during the morning session in AEST. The middle overs saw England’s leg-spinners Adil Rashid (1-23) and Liam Livingstone (3-22) effectively slow down Australia’s run rate, while the visitors’ poor shot selection further aided England’s cause. The Australian tail was gracefully dismantled by fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood. Despite racing to 2-118 in the opening 10 overs, Australia stumbled and lost 8-61 after the drinks break. Australia claimed a 28-run victory over England in the first Twenty20 International in Southampton, thanks to strong bowling by Adam Zampa and a quick start by Travis Head. However, Australia failed to fully capitalize on the early momentum, losing wickets and being dismissed for 179 in 19.3 overs. England’s spinners, Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone, slowed down Australia’s run rate during the middle overs, while poor shot selection from the visitors also played into England’s hands. Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood dismantled Australia’s lower order after a promising start, as they stumbled and lost 8-61.
England struggled in their chase, managing only 151 runs in 19.2 overs as Zampa’s impressive spell of 2-20 from four economical overs, along with Australia’s seamers, caused chaos.
Hazlewood and Abbott both took multiple wickets, while Australia faces concerns over Xavier Bartlett’s fitness after the Queensland pacer limped off the field with a suspected side strain, unable to finish his fourth over.
This marked Australia’s fourth consecutive T20 win, following their 3-0 series sweep over Scotland in Edinburgh last week.
“We were definitely on track for a score above 200, and we almost managed to mess it up,” joked Australian captain Mitchell Marsh during the post-match presentation.
Still, it’s great to start the series with a win.“
England captain Phil Salt, stepping in for the injured Jos Buttler, opted to bowl first after winning the toss, which was delayed by rain.
Short, who replaced young talent Jake Fraser-McGurk at the top of the order, blasted back-to-back sixes off Reece Topley in the second over, sending the left-arm pacer over square leg twice.
After successfully overturning an incorrect caught-behind call in the fourth over, Head unleashed a brutal attack when Sam Curran came into the attack, smashing 30 runs in a single over, equalling an Australian record.
“I love going out there and just smashing it,” Head remarked during the post-match presentation. “I know it won’t happen every time, but I’m in good form right now and want to keep it going.
