Australia vs Scotland 2024

 Travis Head’s blistering 80 off 25 balls demolished Scotland.

Travis Head delivered a stunning display of power hitting, smashing a record-equalling 17-ball fifty and scoring the most individual runs in a powerplay, as Australia cruised to a seven-wicket win with over 10 overs to spare in the first T20I in Edinburgh. Australia chased down Scotland’s 154 for 9, with Head’s explosive 80 off 25 balls leading the way after the bowlers, led by Sean Abbott (3 for 39), had pulled back Scotland’s promising start.

Scotland began with intent, driven by George Munsey, and looked well-positioned at 101 for 3 in the 12th over. However, their innings unraveled as they lost 6 for 44, with Australia’s pacers using changes of pace effectively on a two-paced pitch, supported by Adam Zampa’s two wickets.

Any hope that Scotland’s 154 might be competitive was quickly dashed by Head and Mitchell Marsh. After debutant Jake Fraser-McGurk fell for a duck, the pair launched an extraordinary powerplay assault. At one point, 14 consecutive deliveries were sent to the boundary, and Australia finished the powerplay at 113 for 1, the second-highest powerplay score in T20I history. Head himself scored 73 of those runs, surpassing Paul Stirling’s previous record of 67.

Head’s onslaught overshadowed the rest of the innings. He smashed three fours off Brad Wheal and punished Brandon McMullen’s second over, which went for 20 runs. The real carnage came in Jack Jarvis’ fifth over, which Marsh tore apart for 30 runs, including three sixes. By the first ball of the sixth over, Head had raced to a 17-ball fifty, equalling Marcus Stoinis’ record for the fastest T20I fifty for Australia.

Earlier, Munsey had provided some hope for Scotland with his own powerplay fireworks, repeatedly whipping balls over the leg side. He hammered Riley Meredith for consecutive sixes and brought up Scotland’s fifty in the sixth over, only to fall to a sharp catch by Josh Inglis soon after.