Travis Head's Record-Breaking Innings Powers Australia to ODI Victory Over England

Australian opener Travis Head scored an unbeaten 154 runs, leading his team to a seven-wicket victory against England in the first ODI at Nottingham. Head's performance, featuring 20 fours and 5 sixes, set the second-highest score by an Australian against England in ODIs.

Australian opener Travis Head achieved the second-highest score by an Australian batter against England in ODIs during the first match at Nottingham.

In a run chase targeting 316 runs, Head remained unbeaten with 154* off 129 balls, featuring 20 fours and five sixes, reaching a strike rate of 119.38. This achievement puts him just behind Shane Watson's 161* in 2011. Watson had achieved his milestone in 150 balls with 12 fours and four sixes.

Head's 20 boundaries rank as the third most by an Australian in an ODI, following Glenn Maxwell's 21 fours and David Warner's 24 fours in previous matches. England, after winning the toss and electing to bat, set a score of 315, thanks notably to Ben Duckett (95), Will Jacks (62), and Harry Brook (39). However, they were bundled out for 315 due to Australia's strong bowling led by Adam Zampa (3/49) and Marnus Labuschagne (3/34).

In their chase, Australia saw key contributions from Steve Smith (32) and Cameron Green (32) before a game-changing partnership between Head and Labuschagne (77*). The duo put up a 148-run stand, leading Australia to victory in just 44 overs with seven wickets to spare. Head's remarkable all-round performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award, and Australia now leads the five-match series 1-0.

(With inputs from agencies.)