Eng vs Aus: Travis Head's 154* steers Australia to comprehensive win chasing 316 in 1st ODI, take 1-0 lead

Travis Head's unbeaten 154 took Australia to an easy win over hosts England in the five-match ODI series opener, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Thursday (Sep 19). Chasing 316, Australia lostcaptain Mitchell Marsh early but were never behind in the run-chase courtesy of Head and his crucial partnerships with Steve Smith, Cameron Green and Marnus Labuschagne (77 not out). Notably, this win became Australia's 13thin a row in ODIs.

Early in the contest, Harry Brook-led England opted to bat first. Phil Salt departed early but Ben Duckett and Will Jacks (62) steadied the ship with a 120-run stand. While Adam Zampa removed Jacks, Duckett fell five short of a ton with Labuschagne chipping in with a vital scalp. The latter ended with 3 for 39 and Zampa returned with 3 for 49 whereasHead chipped inwith 2 for 34.

Eventually,England posted 315 for 6 with vital contributions alsofrom Brook (39), keeper-batter Jamie Smith (23) andJacob Bethell (35).

In reply, Australia lost Marsh soon (10), with Matthew Potts giving England an early breakthrough. However, Head's free-flowing approach kept Australia in the hunt with the visitors being 69/1 after 10 overs. He formed a 76-run second-wicket stand with Smithand stitched another 73with No. 4 batter Green, with boundaries coming at regular intervals. Both Smith and Green departed for 32 apiece.

Head then forged an unbeaten 148-run fourth-wicket stand with Labuschagne as Australia closed the run-chase in 44 overs. Labuschagne struck at 126.23, scoring a 61-ball 77*. On the other hand, the swashbuckling opener's inning was laced with 20 fours and 5 sixes, at a strike rate of 119.38. This was Head's sixth ODI ton.

At the post-match presentation, Player-of-the-Match Head said, "(Is batting too easy for him?) It's never the case, got a bit lucky at the start. Jofra (Archer) bowled a hell of a spell but when you can get through it, there are runs on offer, especially on this outfield and pitch. We did well to keep it at 315, used different people. Then to survive the early spell from Jofra and build some partnerships was great."

With the win, the visitors have taken a 1-0 lead in the five ODIs, with the second game on Saturday (Sep 21) at Headingley, Leeds.