At the ground where England have conjured up two record one-day international totals came a seven‑wicket defeat by Australia and a reminder of the task they face in bringing back those halcyon days. Travis Head’s unbeaten 154 was a jaw-dropping assault and this was a serious flex of the muscles from the reigning world champions overall given their Âproblems during the buildup.
After all, Australia were supposedly depleted here. Pat Cummins is resting back at home and Josh ÂHazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell were all ruled out on the morning of the match with the virus that has swept through their camp. But after a resourceful, spin-heavy bowling performance that restricted England to a sub-par 315 all out, Head and Marnus Labuschagne, 77 not out, polished off the target under lights with six overs to spare to claim a 1-0 lead in this five-match series.
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