‘Powerplay madness’: Aussies set new world mark as Head and Marsh destroy Scotland
Australian captain Mitch Marsh has partnered Travis Head to make history as the Aussies hammered Scotland in first T20 of their series.
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Champion batter Travis Head and Australian captain Mitch Marsh have monstered Scotland to set a new world mark for a powerplay en route to a dominant T20 success at The Grange in Edinburgh.
Head, who made a blistering 80 runs of 25 balls when equalling the fastest half-century an Australian has scored in a T20 match, and first-drop Marsh steered Australia to a record 1-113 off six overs after Jake Fraser-McGurk made a duck on debut when opening.
After Scotland set a target of 9-154 when batting first, Head and Marsh launched a staggering assault on the hapless Scottish bowling attack in a 113-run partnership that ended when Marsh, who made 39 runs from 12 balls which included five fours and three sixes, holed out to Michael Leask off the bowling of Mark Watt in the seventh over.
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Head continued to batter the Scottish attack and was on track to break Aaron Finch’s Australian record of a 47-ball century in T20s when he fell to the Leask-Watt combination for 80 from 25 balls, with his innings featuring 12 fours and five sixes.
Josh Inglis, who was unbeaten on 27 from 13 balls, and Marcus Stoinis, who was not out on eight from five balls, steered Australia to a seven-wicket victory with 62 balls remaining in the innings.
A little late night treat here with Travis Head & Mitch Marsh going absolutely bananas against Scotland at The Grange. A new world record of 1/113 off 6 overs - Head 69 off 21 & the Bison 39 off 11 rocks. There are stones being dispatched all over the joint! Amazing viewing
— David Shortte (@Shortte) September 4, 2024
The Aussie demolition came after comments from Scottish captain Mark Watt in the lead-in to the series that his team wanted “blood” against Australia.
“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.
“(It was a) nice way to get underway. We’ve loved our time here so far and I was a bit nervous coming in.
“(It was) nice to get some runs with the captain today. I’ve been enjoying the environment under this coaching staff, loving the atmosphere with the youngsters coming in.
“After losing Jake, (I was) not sure what the wicket was going to do, but (it was) nice to get into my groove quickly. Once I get away, I guess that’s my role, maximising the powerplay.”
Earlier Sean Abbott was the pick of the Australian bowlers when taking 3-39 from his four overs, but Xavier Bartlett (2-23 from four overs), Adam Zampa (2-33 from four overs) were also effective.
Prior to the first game in a three match series against Scotland, which precedes a brief tour of England, Marsh said it was more than likely all 14 players in the squad would play in one of the three games.
“I don’t think it’s a reset,” Marsh said of the changing faces in the squad.
“I think there’s certainly opportunity for guys to come in and get their opportunity, but I wouldn’t say it’s a reset.
“We’ve got a bit of experience that are missing out on this tour, but all these guys have certainly earned their spot. They all bring different skill sets and the thing we spoke about is just coming together as a unit.”
Scotland came close to shocking the Aussies in the T20 World Cup in June, but struggled to build on a positive start with the bat. George Munsey top scored for the hosts with 28.
“That’s what you expect against one of the best sides in the world,” said Scotland captain Richie Berrington.
“We started pretty well with the bat, but unfortunately a few of us got in and didn’t kick on. Credit to the Australian bowlers, they made it hard to get away and capitalise on that good start.”
Fastest fifty for Australia in men’s T20Is
17 balls - Marcus Stoinis vs SL in Perth, 2022
17 balls - Travis Head vs SCO in Edinburgh, 2024
18 balls - David Warner vs WI in Sydney, 2010
18 balls - Glenn Maxwell vs PAK in Mirpur, 2014
18 balls - Glenn Maxwell vs SL in Colombo, 2016
Highest run rate for 150+ total in T20s
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) September 4, 2024
17.27 - Sunrisers Hyderabad v LSG
16.13 - Scotland v AUS
BOTH have top-scorer as Travis Head and are in 2024. pic.twitter.com/ltwOC618N7
“That’s one of the great challenges of international cricket is feeling comfortable at that level and that’s our job as leaders, to make the guys feel really comfortable.
“They’ll be challenged, they’ll be under pressure, but looking after each other, having fun and enjoying playing international cricket is really important for us.”
It’s the first time Australia has played Scotland in a multi-game bilateral series, having last toured there for one-off ODIs in 2009 and 2013.
“We’re disappointed with how things ended up today, but it’s a great experience especially for the younger guys who’ve come in,” Scotland captain Richie Berrington said.
“We’ve got to learn from every experience, keep our belief and come back strong for the next one.”
Australia’s T20 tour of Scotland
All times AEST
September 4 – First T20, Edinburgh, 11pm
September 6 – Second T20, Edinburgh, 11pm
September 7 – Third T20, Edinburgh, 11pm
Australia’s T20 Squad
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Riley Meredith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Scotland’s T20 squad
Richie Berrington (c), Charlie Cassell, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Jasper Davidson, Chris Greaves, Oli Hairs, Jack Jarvis, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Charlie Tear, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal
Originally published as ‘Powerplay madness’: Aussies set new world mark as Head and Marsh destroy Scotland
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