Australia drew first blood in the IT20 series against England last night after a 28-run victory on a cold evening the Ageas Bowl.
England won the toss and elected to bowl on a moist outfield with the pitch appearing to be a favourable one to bat on for both sides.
Captain Phil Salt opted for an unorthodox field from the beginning by deciding not to have a backward point, but this proved inconsequential due to the sheer aggression of the openers.
The tourists thumped 86 from their opening partnership which included a rapid-fire half ton from Travis Head who achieved such a feat from only 19 deliveries.
Head was the first to fall at the end of the powerplay after a Jordan Cox catch at fine leg, but Australia were in the driving seat at 86-1.
The English spinners came straight into attack as the field could now spread, and it was from here England started to regain control.
Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone took a total of four wickets but simultaneously slowed down the Australian scoring rate.
After two successful appeals and some questionable shots, the batting side were reduced from 86-1 to 132-5.
With much of their middle order cleaned up, Josh Inglis and Cameron Green stabilised the ship a tad, but once Sam Curran bowled Inglis with a tidy slower delivery, England made light work of the tail and Australia were all out for 179.
On such a pitch, 180 runs to win put the ball in England’s court but it would be naïve to discount Australia with their bowling attack.
It was nearly the start of dreams for the Australians as Salt slapped a ball tamely into the air for Mitch Marsh to claim, but Xavier Bartlett had unfortunately bowled a no ball.
However, they would not have to wait long for their first wicket with Josh Hazlewood cannily outfoxing Will Jacks who directed the ball to Matt Short on the leg side.
England started their innings much slower than their opponents, but they looked relatively settled until Tim David pulled off a sensational catch to dismiss the debutant Cox.
Salt led from the front and was in a position to post a captain’s innings, but it was not meant to be with the ball finding Matt Short on the leg side once more; leaving the captain in disbelief.
Matters worsened for the hosts when Bethell fell for just 2 after failing to pick the length of an Adam Zampa delivery.
Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran stood firm and dragged the English to 106-4, but a cutting bouncer from Sean Abbot cramped Curran for room who guided the ball to Zampa at short fine leg.
Shortly after Livingstone dragged one on after a Hazlewood ‘nip backer’ and it was here that England were arguably handed their defeat.
Jamie Overton attempted to resist the Australian onslaught with a couple of boundaries in the 15th over, however Zampa proved to be just too good for the bowling all-rounder as the ball bounced off his pads and onto the stumps.
Abbott sealed the win by clean bowling Mahmood after the tailender unsuccessfully created room for a scoop.
Both nations now move onto Sophia Gardens where another chilly encounter is expected in a pivotal series defining match this coming Friday.
Feature Image Credit: Unsplash – Alessandro Bogliari
