Australia defeated England by 28 runs in the first T20I of the series on September 11, 2024, in Southampton. Australia, led by Travis Head’s explosive 59 off 23 balls, set a total of 179. Head dominated the powerplay, particularly targeting Sam Curran, taking 30 runs off a single over. He built a strong partnership with Matthew Short, who contributed 41 off 26. England’s Liam Livingstone tried to bring his team back into the game with three wickets and a quickfire 37 with the bat, but Australia’s bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott, restricted England to 151, securing the win.
England struggled to build momentum, with Phil Salt managing only 20 and Will Jacks falling early. Despite some resistance from debutant Jordan Cox and Livingstone, the Australian bowlers consistently took wickets, with Hazlewood and Abbott finishing with key breakthroughs. Australia’s disciplined bowling, particularly in the final overs, ensured they stayed ahead, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series【6†source】【7†source】.
