Travis Head knew all about Scotland spinner Mark Watt’s claim his team wanted “blood” in their T20 series before the Australian opener equalled the record for the fastest international T20 half-century, smashing 78 of his 80 runs in boundaries to demolish the home team in Edinburgh
A duck on debut for Head’s new opening partner, Jake Fraser-McGurk, was the only downside on a dominant day for the tourists who chased down the home team’s score of 9-154 in under 10 overs amid a stunning display of power hitting.
Head got to his 50 in just 17 balls at The Grange Club as he and captain Mitch Marsh set a new powerplay record in international cricket, blasting 113 after the first six overs to cruise past the previous best set by South Africa against the West Indies in 2023 (102).
Captain Marsh took 30 runs off a single over from hapless Scottish bowler Jack Jarvis, hitting three fours and three sixes, making 39 off 12 balls in a statement for the series.
Scottish spinner Watt had made his own pre-series declaration his team wanted to take the Aussies down in the first full series between the two countries, but Head and Marsh put paid to that.
Between them they whacked 17 fours and eight sixes at the suburban ground.
“I read it in the car on the way in and I had a giggle with a few of the boys; I was like, all right then,” Head said of Watt’s comments
“Obviously, they are keen as (for the contest) and so are we, we want to start on the right foot.
“We’ve got a couple of young guys in our team, a bit of a fresher group off the back of the World Cup and I think everyone is keen to make a stance in international cricket.
“I was a bit nervous coming in. It was nice to get some runs with the captain today. It’s been a nice couple of years. I’ve been enjoying the environment under this coaching staff, loving the atmosphere with the youngsters coming in.
“After losing Jake, not sure what the wicket was going to do, but nice to get into my groove quickly. Once I get away, I guess that’s my role, maximising the powerplay.”
Head finished with 80 runs off just 25 balls, his 12 fours and five sixes making up 78 of those runs, effectively giving him 78 runs off 17 balls.
The onslaught came after Sean Abbott took three wickets to restrict Scotland to a total that was never going to be enough on the small ground.
“Always nice to start a tour with a win, especially in a three-match series,” Marsh said.
“I thought the bowlers were all really good, it was about being really clear on what they wanted to do and we judge the execution. A lot of energy, we fielded well, that’s all you ask for. You can see the Scottish people are extremely proud of their country and their cricket and we’re privileged to come here and play.”
The second match will be played at the same venue on Friday.
Source: News.com.au
