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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.
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.
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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.
