Australia Triumphs Over England in T20 Thriller

Travis Head's explosive 19-ball half-century, including 30 runs off one over, powered Australia to a 28-run victory over England in the first T20 match. Despite a strong start, England couldn't chase down Australia's 179, with Sean Abbott and Josh Hazlewood leading the Australian bowling attack. The series continues in Cardiff.

Australia's Travis Head delivered an explosive performance, smashing a 19-ball half-century, including 30 runs in a single over, as Australia defeated England by 28 runs in the first T20 match in Southampton on Wednesday.

Head hit four sixes and eight fours in a blistering innings of 59, helping Australia amass 86-0 in just 5.5 overs. While opener Matthew Short added two sixes in his 41-run knock, England's spinners pegged back Australia, who ended their innings at 179 all out.

England, despite gaining momentum by taking 10 Australian wickets for 93 runs, struggled in their chase. T20 debutants Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Overton couldn't help England, led by Phil Salt in Jos Buttler's absence, as they fell to 52-4. Sean Abbott, Josh Hazlewood, and Adam Zampa combined to bowl out England for 151.

Sam Curran faced the brunt of Head's onslaught, conceding multiple boundaries in the fifth over. Head ultimately fell to Saqib Mahmood's delivery, caught by Cox. Despite setbacks, Short played aggressively but fell in the 11th over. Liam Livingstone's three wickets for 22 runs further stalled Australia's innings before Josh Inglis' 37 provided some stability. England's reply was subdued, losing wickets regularly, and Livingstone's 37 was their highest score. Australia captain Mitchell Marsh acknowledged Head and Short's efforts, indicating a potential 200-plus score on such a pitch. The second T20 match is set for Friday in Cardiff.

(With inputs from agencies.)