Aussie star goes ballistic with 30-run over

A possible side strain to rookie fast bowler Xavier Bartlett left Australia a bowler down but it proved no impediment after Travis Head plundered 30 runs off a single over to help power the visitors to an imposing T20 win over England in Southampton.

Two ducks in three innings cost Jake Fraser-McGurk his spot at the top of the order and his replacement, Matt Short, showed his international mettle, making 41 off just 26 balls in an 86-run opening stand with Head that set the 28-run win up for the tourists.

The pair smashed 12 fours and six sixes in a six-over blitzkrieg against an England attack that included the fearsome Jofra Archer, with Head making 59 off just 23.

That included a power-packed fifth over when Head smashed Sam Curran for three sixes and there fours in a stunning solo effort.

Head equalled the fastest 50 by an Australian in T20 when he belted 80 from just 25 balls against the Scots in Edinburgh last week and showed a liking to opening with Short, having done so for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash.

“We’ve had a consistent theme at the top, and whoever has come in has been able to play that,” Head said.

“I’ve worked extremely hard over a period of time to play freely. I took my opportunity a couple of years ago, and the freedom [coach Andrew McDonald and Test captain Pat Cummins] give me has helped as well.”

Josh Inglis, fresh off a century against Scotland, made 37 off 27 balls to push Australia to 179, bowled out with three balls to spare.

But with captain Jos Buttler and superstar Ben Stokes out, and with an interim coach, the chase proved too hard for the English batting line-up, only Liam Livingstone providing any resistance, making 37 off 27 balls, as the home side was all out for 151.

The return of veteran Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood (2-32) proved a bonus for Australia, who lost Bartlett to injury after he bowled 3.4 overs, while Sean Abbott took 3-28 among the six Aussies to snare a wicket.

Bartlett came into the team as a replacement for all-rounder Aaron Hardie, who now looms as a likely replacement for the second game when the series moves to Cardiff on Saturday. Australia has already lost Nathan Ellis from the UK tour but called up NSW left-armer Ben Dwarshuis.

“Disappointing any time you see a young bowler go down,” Australian captain Mitch Marsh said.

“I think he’s hurt his side, but hopefully it’s not too bad.”

Fraser-McGurk lost his spot in the line-up after his dual failures against Scotland and despite assurances from Marsh that the livewire 22-year-old had a big future with the team and was under no pressure to perform.

“We know he’s an exciting talent and he’s got a big future,” Marsh said of Fraser-McGurk ahead of the opening T20 in Southampton.

“I love what he’s brought to our team, both on and off the field so far. He’s a ripping young kid and he’s going to learn a lot by being around this environment.

“From our end and from within our team environment, there’s no pressure on Jake to do anything.

“He doesn’t need to prove to anyone that he’s good enough at this level.”