NOTTINGHAM – Travis Head’s superb career-best 154 not out saw depleted world champions Australia to a seven-wicket win over England in the first one-day international at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
Australia, set 316 for victory, finished on 317-3 with six overs to spare as they went 1-0 up in a five-match series to make it 13 ODI wins in a row against all opponents.
Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne was the unlikely hero with the ball as Australia fought back after losing the toss.
England, on 201-2 off 30 overs, were set for a colossal total as Ben Duckett — in his first ODI as an opener — eyed a hundred on his Nottinghamshire home ground.
But left-hander Duckett departed for 95 when caught and bowled by part-time leg-spinner Labuschagne, who also removed Harry Brook — out for 39 in his first innings as England captain — in similar fashion soon afterwards.
Labuschagne, the seventh bowler deployed by Australia captain Mitchell Marsh, finished with ODI-best figures of 3-39 as England lost their last six wickets for 59 runs.
First-choice leg-spinner Adam Zampa marked his 100th ODI with 3-49 from his full 10 overs.
Labuschagne then completed a fine all-round display by making 77 not out off 61 balls, featuring seven fours and two sixes, in an unbroken partnership of 148 with fellow 30-year-old Head.
Australia lost Marsh early in their chase when he holed out off Matthew Potts.
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