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Pinch-hitters flop as Aussie openers demolish Poms in stalemate: Player Ratings

Pinch-hitters flop as Aussie openers demolish Poms in stalemate: Player Ratings

England and Australia shared the trophy after this week’s three-match T20 series in the United Kingdom ended as a draw.

Sunday afternoon’s match at Old Trafford was abandoned after heavy rain soaked the Manchester venue, forcing an anticlimactic conclusion to the series.

However, a five-match ODI series between the two nations gets underway later this week, with the first game occurring at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

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Head hits 30 off Curran over! | 01:50

TRAVIS HEAD — 9

90 runs at 45.00

HS 59, SR 243.24

Head has established himself as one of the most damaging openers in white-ball cricket since Aaron Finch’s international retirement.

The South Australian, who made his national captaincy debut in Cardiff, was unstoppable during the Powerplay in England this week, clobbering 30 runs off an over from Sam Curran in Southampton before bringing up a half-century in just 19 deliveries.

MATTHEW SHORT — 8

69 runs at 34.50, HS 41, SR 138.00

Five wickets at 4.40, BB 5-22, Econ 7.33

Short’s Southampton blitz pushed his case to become David Warner’s replacement in the national T20 side, with the right-hander forming a dangerous partnership alongside Travis Head this week.

The Victorian also claimed a five-wicket haul in Cardiff, finishing with the third-best bowling figures by an Australian in men’s T20Is.

Short looks to lock down Opener spot | 00:53

MITCHELL MARSH — 3

Two runs at 2.00

HS 2, SR 66.66

Australian captain Marsh was deceived by England spinner Adil Rashid, the No. 1 bowler on the ICC men’s T20I rankings, in the series opener before missing Friday’s match in Cardiff due to illness.

JAKE FRASER-MCGURK — 7

50 runs at 50.00

HS 50, SR 161.29

After a forgettable series against Scotland, Fraser-McGurk redeemed himself in the Welsh capital with a maiden international half-century.

The 22-year-old top-scored for Australia in the three-wicket defeat, but his sloppy fielding during the run chase led to some taunting from the Cardiff crowd.

Crowd taunts Fraser-McGurk after slip up | 01:03

JOSH INGLIS — 7

79 runs at 39.50

HS 42, SR 149.05

Inglis made valuable contributions with the bat in both matches against England, whipping out an assortment of sweeps and lap shots during the series opener in Southampton.

MARCUS STOINIS — 3

12 runs at 6.00, HS 10, SR 92.30

One wicket at 61.00, BB 1-30, Econ 12.20

Not much went right for Stoinis in England this week.

After failing in both digs with the bat, the all-rounder finished the series with the worst economy rate among Australia’s bowlers, copping a hiding from Liam Livingstone in Cardiff.

TIM DAVID — 2

One run at 0.50

HS 1, SR 25.00

When your lone job is to whack it from ball one, occasional failure is inevitable.

David was dismissed cheaply in both matches against England this week, but he did hold onto an extraordinary outfield catch during the series opener in Southampton.

‘Utterly brilliant’ – David drops jaws | 00:59

CAMERON GREEN — 4

26 runs at 26.00, HS 13*, SR 108.33

One wicket at 38.00, BB 1-14, Econ 11.40

Green struggled for rhythm with the bat in both matches against England this week, while his lone wicket of the series was tailender Jofra Archer.

AARON HARDIE — 6

20 runs, HS 20*, SR 222.22

Zero wickets, BB 0-23, Econ 11.50

After he was sidelined for the series opener, Hardie produced a handy cameo with the bat in Cardiff, proving he can serve as a finisher when required.

Epic crowd catch after Overton drop | 00:45

COOPER CONNOLLY — 4

Zero wickets, BB 0-20, Econ 10.00

Not needed with the bat in Cardiff, Connolly was tasked with bowling during the Powerplay in the run chase, a gamble from stand-in captain Travis Head that backfired.

XAVIER BARLETT — 5

One wicket at 26.00

BB 1-26, Econ 7.09

Bartlett sustained a side strain during the series opener in Southampton, ruled out of the remainder of the T20 series against England.

The Queenslander started the match with a front-foot no-ball, also dropping as tough return chance to give England’s Jordan Cox an early life.

‘No Mitch’ – No-ball erases golden duck! | 01:14

SEAN ABBOTT — 7

Five wickets at 13.00

BB 3-28, Econ 8.86

Abbott finished as Australia’s equal leading wicket-taker of the series, snaring three scalps during the team’s victory in Southampton.

The New South Welshman also claimed two crucial wickets during the Powerplay of England’s run chase in Cardiff, including a gorgeous in-cutter to knock over Jordan Cox.

ADAM ZAMPA — 6

Two wickets at 28.50

BB 2-20, Econ 7.12

Zampa was arguably the pick of the Australian bowlers during the series opener in Southampton, stemming the flow of runs in the middle overs.

However, he failed to replicate the performance in Cardiff, with English rising star Jacob Bethell clobbering five consecutive boundaries against the leg-spinner during the run chase.

JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 7

Two wickets at 16.00

BB 2-23, Econ 8.00

Hazlewood was, as expected, relentless with his line and length during the series opener in Southampton, deceiving England’s Liam Livingstone with a hidden on-pace delivery.

Australia sorely missed the 33-year-old in Cardiff.

Hazlewood set to return against England | 00:55