ENG vs AUS: Travis Head breaks Shane Watson’s 11-year-old record in rampant knock

New Delhi: Travis Head played looked flamboyant during his match-winning knock of 154 not out against England in the first One-Day International match on Thursday, September 19, at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham. While chasing a tricky target of 316, Head shouldered the responsibility with some crackling strokes, hammering 20 fours and five sixes as Australia got through the finishing line with six overs to spare.

Head’s unbeaten 154 is now the highest ODI score by an Australian cricketer in England. The 30-year-old South Australian batter broke former Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson’s record of 143 runs from 107 balls set at the Rose Bowl in Southampton in 2013 (ENG vs AUS 5th ODI).

Head was supported by Marnus Labuschagne, the two heroes of Australia’s World Cup 2023 final against India. The duo stitched an unbroken 148-run stand to steer the visitors to 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series. Labuschagne was unbeaten on 77 with the help of seven fours and two sixes. The Queensland batter played a key role in averting the spin threat in the middle, sweeping confidently for boundaries or plundering doubles in between.

Despite losing captain Mitchell Marsh early in the chase, Head was heavy on England bowling unit right from the word go. He was unfazed by the asking rate even when Australia were just at 190 for 3 after 30 overs. He crunched through the covers and splashed through the backward points for boundaries. Barring a miscued shot against leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the latter’s final over, the Australian opener looked eloquent with the bat in the second innings.

Travis Head, Labuschagne add value with ball

Marnus Labuschagne mustered the best bowling figures in ODIs in the first ODI. He picked the key wickets of Ben Duckett (95), England stand-in captain Harry Brook (39), and Jofra Archer (4) to finish with 3 for 39 from six overs. Travis Head also claimed two dismissals in the final over to end with 2 for 34 as England were bowled out for 315.

It was a tactical nous from Australia captain Mitchell Marsh to bowl spinners in the last 20 overs. England were batting at 201 for 2 after 30 overs with Ben Duckett flourishing with his pulls and cuts. Australian spinners claimed nine wickets in total with Adam Zampa (3 for 49) and Matthew Short (1 for 68) chipping in. England were eventually restricted to a below-par 315 as this was the most wickets picked by Australian spinners in a ODI match.