ENG vs AUS, 1st ODI review: Travis Head’s career-best score propels visitors to massive win

England and Australia kicked off their ODI series by taking on each other in the first ODI. Both sides locked horns at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday, September 19, and the clash began with England coming in to bat first after winning the toss. 

The side opened the innings with Phil Salt and Ben Duckett scoring 17 and 95 runs, respectively. Furthermore, Will Jacks added 62 runs onto the scoreboard after the fall of the first wicket. Getting a brilliant start, England looked set for a big score. 

Skipper Harry Brook amassed 39 runs, with Jamie Smith scoring 23 and Jacob Bethell adding 35 runs on the board. After the first innings, England managed to post a total of 315 runs for the Aussies to chase down. 

As for the visitors, Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne were the highest wicket-takers in the first innings, with three wickets each to their names. Travis Head took two wickets alongside Ben Dwarshuis and Matthew Short, who struck once each. In all, nine wickets fell to spin which is the first time England lost that many to spin at home.

As Australia came out to chase down the target of 315 runs, the side got off to a subpar start as opener Mitchell Marsh was sent packing for just 10 runs. However, it was the knock of ace batter Travis Head, which propelled the Aussies to a successful run chase. 

Travis Head opened the innings for Australia and stayed unbeaten throughout the second innings. The in-form batter played a mammoth knock of 154* runs in 129 deliveries, ensuring the win for his side. Furthermore, Steve Smith scored 32 runs, alongside Cameron Green, who added 32 runs on the board as well. Marnus Labuschagne provided good support to Head by amassing 77* runs in 61 deliveries as Australia chased down the target in 44 overs, winning the game by seven wickets.  

As for England, Matthew Potts, Liam Livingstone, and Jacob Bethell were the only wicket-takers with one wicket each to their names.