Head's fireworks, McDermott's maiden ODI fifty power Australia to competitive total

Travis Head smashed a scintillating century in his long-awaited ODI return to power Australia’s shorthanded line-up, but Pakistan fought back to leave the series-opener intriguingly poised in Lahore.

After being sent in, Australia appeared on course for a massive total through Head’s pyrotechnics at the top only to be pegged back before finishing with 313 for 7. After copping an early flogging from Head, Pakistan launched a comeback through their spinners on a pitch that is batting friendly, but sharp turn is evident.

A weakened Australia were without a host of stars and had only 13 players to choose from as they handed debuts to legspinner Mitchell Swepson and quick Nathan Ellis. Pakistan had fresh faces too with 34-year-old legspinner Zahid Mahmood and young quick Mohammad Wasim Jnr making their ODI debuts.

In his first ODI since November 2018, Head grabbed his opportunity with both hands to hit 101 off 71 balls in the eighth fastest century by an Australian in ODIs.

Having struggled during Australia’s historic Test series victory, averaging just 22.67, Head was in sparkling form from the get-go on Tuesday as he dominated a Pakistan attack desperately missing the speed and skill of spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi. The pacer was left out of the XI after being hit on the left knee during training on Monday.

It was Head’s second ODI century – both have been against Pakistan – and he showcased his liking for batting at the top to boost his average as opener to 45.69 from 13 matches, which is well above his overall mark of 36.

Head cashed in, while No.3 Ben McDermott struck his maiden ODI half-century with a calm 55 off 70 until he needlessly ran himself out after a misfield. The BBL MVP has struggled in ODIs and T20Is but mostly played maturely with an eye towards a first international century only to throw it away.

Emerging allrounder Cameron Green, playing in just his second ODI, gave them a much-needed lift at the end to smash a handy 40 off 33 balls.

Australia scored around seven runs an over in the first half of their innings only to be tied down by spin with Mahmood producing sharp turn while left-arm orthodox Khushdil Shah bowled an excellent spell in the backend.

They made up for early struggles from their quicks although speedster Haris Rauf menaced at over 150kmph and cleaned up Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott in the death overs. It was a spirited revival from Pakistan who were staring down the barrel of chasing an even massive total after a brisk start from Australia.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam had been left pondering his surprise decision to bowl first after his errant quicks copped a hammering against Head, who repeatedly smashed through the off side as he crashed 10 boundaries in his first 32 balls.

Head looked completely untroubled after successfully overturning an lbw decision in the second over off the fourth delivery bowled by 20-year-old quick Wasim.

Head eased the burden on Aaron Finch during a 110-run opening stand but might have heightened the pressure on the struggling Australia captain’s long-term place at the top. Having laboured through the summer with a knee injury, Finch once again had no fluency in his first ODI since December 2020 as he crawled to 11 off 26 balls.

With the spinners coming on after the first powerplay, Finch smashed Mahmood for a six over wide long-on, but the legspinner soon gained revenge with a terrific maiden ODI wicket with a sharp leg break that caught the edge and was well taken by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

At the drinks break, an angry Babar berated his team, but it failed to do the trick as Head continued on his merry way to notch his century off 70 balls – the fastest ton by an Australian against Pakistan. He celebrated fairly casually, suggesting he had his sights on going big, but Head tamely holed out two balls later off Iftikhar Ahmed as Australia’s momentum halted.

The tourists couldn’t quite capitalise on Head’s platform, but Green’s late surge has given Australia confidence of continuing their long-held stranglehold over Pakistan in ODIs.