Brief Scores: Australia 179 in 19.3 overs (Travis Head 59, Matthew Short 41; Liam Livingstone 3-22, Saqib Mahmood 2-21) beat England 151 in 19.2 overs (Liam Livingstone 37; Sean Abbott 3-28, Adam Zampa 2-20) by 28 run
Australia lost 10 wickets for 93 runs after a scintillating powerplay but still had enough in the bank to overcome England as the home side lost the first T20I at Rose Bowl. It was a field day for the bowlers, with all 20 falling across two innings, but Sean Abbott stood out with figures of 3/28.
Head, who didn’t exactly blaze off the blocks, went after Sam Curran and produced three sixes and as many fours in a 30-run over as Australia galloped to 86 in the PowerPlay. He eventually fell off the last delivery of the mandatory phase.
Following the departure of Head, Australia gained control. Matthew Short, who made an ebullient start to his innings, became the first of Liam Livingstone’s three victims. The part-time leggie seized the momentum by dismissing Marcus Stoinis and Tim David off successive deliveries in the 13th over.
No one in the Australian lower order was able to make a noteworthy contribution as The visitors were bowled out for 179 in 19.3 overs. Much like it was with their bowling display, England fared well in the middle overs with the bat too. Livingstone smashed a 27-ball 37 and in the company of Sam Curran, he breathed some life in a chase that had never really taken off. Despite scoring at almost 9-an-over through the middle overs, the fall of four wickets between overs 6-15 had exacerbated England’s chances.
With the required rate climbing and barely any wickets left in hand, the lower order tried to swing for the fence but only with limited success as Australia ensured there was no late drama.
HUGE wicket 👀
Liam Livingstone falls for 37 and England are six down 🏴 pic.twitter.com/zig0HaaxQi
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 11, 2024
