ENG vs AUS: Before the beginning of the long 5-match ODI series between the English and the Australian sides, these two teams take on each other in the shortest format of the game. With the first T20I played at Southampton at the Rose Bowl, the Australians dominated in an average-scoring match.
Travis Head scored a stunning quickfire 59, and then, supported by Short’s 41 up the order, the Aussies could take themselves up to 179, as England came in to bat and were short of 28 runs, as they were bundled for 151.
The second match saw major changes in both sides, with Australia almost changing their entire squad, as Travis Head was given the captainship for the first time in the shortest format of the game. Jake Fraser-McGurk made a return to the side, and his new role as a No. 3 batter clicked for the Aussies, as McGurk scored his maiden T20I fifty against a team like England.
Also, all-rounders Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly replaced the injured bowler Xavier Bartlett and the experienced Josh Hazelwood. Initially, after Travis Head’s quickfire 30 and McGurk scored a 50, Inglis’s 42 helped the Aussies reach 193. England were to chase 194, as skipper Phil Salt gave them the perfect start alongside a brilliant inning from Liam Livingstone.
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Once again, Livingstone, who picked vital wickets with the ball, including the set McGurk, batted stunningly for his 87 in just 47 balls. After Salt, he was well supported by Bethell, as the track at Cardiff seemed a much better track to bat on.
However, the Aussies seemed to bring the match back to their favour, as Matt Short, the opening all-rounder, finally was brought in to bowl by the stand-in captain Head. As not one of the all-rounders could do well, with only Abbott and Zampa being the only proper bowlers.
Short picked a 5-fer for the Aussies towards the back end, as he picked all vital wickets from Salt and Bethell to the settled Livingstone. Despite his credit, England won the match by 3 wickets as they chased the 194-run target within the 19th over of the game. England is now levelled with Australia, as the final match would be a decider for the series winners.
