SOUTHAMPTON: Australia opener Travis Head continues to dazzle in white-ball cricket with his explosive hitting as he equaled the national record of 30 runs in one match in the 1st T20I against England in Southampton on Wednesday. Head’s blistering performance saw him hit 3 fours and 3 sixes off the bowling of Sam Curran in the fifth match, which played a key role in Australia’s victory. They now hold the joint record for most runs scored by an Australian in T20Is. With this achievement, Head joins an exclusive group of Australian cricketers who have scored 30 runs in a single T20I, along with veterans Ricky Ponting, Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian and Mitchell Marsh. The record for most runs in a single T20I is held by Samoa’s Darius Visser, who scored an amazing 39 runs against Vanuatu last month. Head continued his good form and scored a half-century in the over. He built a strong partnership with fellow opener Matthew Short, who contributed 41 runs, leading to an opening stand of 86. Head’s innings of 59 off 23 balls included 8 fours and 4 sixes. It was Head’s fourth T20I half-century this year, further cementing his position as the highest-rated player in the ICC Men’s T20I Batter Rankings. Australia’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa and Sean Abbott, proved too formidable for England in their chase of 180. The three bowlers shared seven wickets between them, with Abbott claiming three. The hosts were bowled out for 151, falling 28 runs short of the target. Australia secured a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with the win. The 2nd edition of the T20I is scheduled to take place in Cardiff on Friday.
