Head's Stunning Century Leads Australia to Victory

Travis Head's brilliant, career-best 154* powered a depleted Australian side to a commanding seven-wicket win over England in the first ODI at Trent Bridge on Thursday. Chasing 316 for victory, Australia comfortably reached 317-3 with six overs to spare, extending their ODI winning streak to 13 matches across all opponents and taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Marnus Labuschagne emerged as an unlikely hero with the ball after England, having won the toss, looked set for a mammoth total at 201-2 after 30 overs. Ben Duckett, playing his first ODI as an opener, was eyeing a century on his home ground at Nottinghamshire. However, he was dismissed for 95, caught and bowled by part-time leg-spinner Labuschagne, who also removed Harry Brook (39) shortly after.

Labuschagne, Australia's seventh bowler, finished with career-best figures of 3-39 as England's innings collapsed, losing six wickets for 59 runs. First-choice leg-spinner Adam Zampa, playing his 100th ODI, contributed with 3-49 from his 10 overs.

Labuschagne then shone with the bat, scoring 77* off 61 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, in an unbroken 148-run partnership with fellow 30-year-old Head. Australia lost captain Mitchell Marsh early in the chase, but Head, who narrowly escaped being caught on six, took control, punishing both England's seamers and spinners.

Head raced to a run-a-ball fifty before reaching his sixth ODI century in 66 matches. He smashed a stunning six off Liam Livingstone to reach 150 and surpassed his previous highest score of 152 in ODIs, ending with 129 balls faced, including 20 fours and five sixes.

Australia's chase followed a solid bowling effort that had earlier restricted England after a fast start. Phil Salt (17) was dismissed by debutant left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis, whose promising spell was cut short by injury. Duckett and Will Jacks (62) formed a 120-run partnership, but Zampa and Labuschagne triggered a middle-order collapse, leaving England at 232-4 after 35 overs.

With several key players sidelined, including Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s resilience shone through. The series resumes at Headingley on Saturday.