In a monstrous assault at the Rose Bowl in Southampton in the first T20I on September 11 (Wednesday), Travis Head brutalised Sam Curran, taking an astounding 30 runs off the first over bowled by the left-arm pacer.

Australia, after being sent into bat, were 41/0 after four overs when Curran was introduced into the attack by Phil Salt. Head started off with a pair of boundaries and then went 6, 6, 6, 4 in the final four balls of the over to collect a staggering 30 runs in the over. 

In the process, Head became only the fourth Australian, after Ricky Ponting, Dan Christian and Mitchell Marsh, to collect 30 runs in a single over in T20Is. 

On the night, Head brought up his fifth 50+ score in T20Is. He brought it up in style with a huge six off Saqib Mahmood in the final over of the powerplay. He did, however, end up departing in the final ball of the sixth over, getting caught at deep backward square leg.

Head’s onslaught helped Australia reach 86/1 at the end of the powerplay – their third-highest powerplay score EVER in T20Is.

Highest powerplay scores for Australia in T20Is

113/1 vs Scotland in Edinburgh, 2024

91/0 vs New Zealand in Eden Park, 2018

86/1 vs England in Southampton, 2024*

It was also the highest-ever powerplay score in a T20I in England. 

Highest powerplay score in a T20I in England

Australia 86/1 vs England in Southampton, 2024

West Indies 83/0 vs Australia at The Oval, 2009

England 78/0 vs Pakistan at The Oval, 2024

***

Earlier this month, in the third T20I against Scotland, Head became the second-quickest Australian to 1000 T20I runs, getting to the landmark in just 35 innings. Among Aussies, only Aaron Finch (29) had gotten to the landmark quicker than Head. In the first T20I of the same series, Head hit the joint-quickest fifty for an Australian in T20Is. 

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