Travis Head’s sudden first date with the Australian captaincy has led to big disappointment as England levelled the T20 worldwide collection with an exhilarating three-wicket victory at Cardiff.
Head, handed the chief’s job after Mitch Marsh was dominated out with sickness, hit a brisk 31 as he led from the entrance and likewise watched the thrilling Jake Fraser-McGurk then crash his maiden worldwide half-century on Friday night.
However regardless of amassing a formidable complete of 6-193 at Sophia Gardens, Head’s massive night was then wrecked by a stunning efficiency from Liam Livingstone, who smashed 87 in his fiftieth T20 worldwide to make sure England levelled the collection 1-1 with an over remaining.
Captain Phil Salt hit three successive sixes within the third over earlier than Sean Abbott pegged England again with two fast wickets within the fourth, Fraser-McGurk catching Will Jacks for 12 earlier than Jordan Cox was bowled for a second ball duck.
Salt went for 39 off 23 balls, caught by Abbott, however the skilled Livingstone’s super partnership with Jacob Bethell (44 from 24) steadied the hosts and set them on the trail to victory.
Livingstone took England to the brink with a six and a 4 however was then caught by Matt Quick with one run required, leaving Adil Rashid to shut the sport out with a single and 6 balls remaining.
Not even a exceptional show from part-time spinner Quick, who took 5-22 off three overs, might forestall the hosts from incomes the win that takes the three-match collection to a decider in Manchester on Monday morning Australian time.
AP/Reuters
