Travis Head Provides the Fireworks as Australia Outclasses New-Look England in Opening T20

Head's heroics lead Australia to victory

Travis Head's blistering 69 off 42 balls set up Australia's thumping eight-wicket win over England in the opening Twenty20 international in Perth on Sunday.

Head smashed four fours and six sixes as Australia chased down England's total of 162 with nine balls to spare.

Aaron Finch (31) and Mitchell Marsh (28) also made useful contributions for Australia, while Sam Billings top-scored for England with 44.

Early wickets hurt England

England were put into bat and lost wickets early, with Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan all falling inside the powerplay.

Billings and Moeen Ali (21) steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership, but the introduction of leg-spinner Adam Zampa (3-23) proved decisive.

Zampa dismissed Billings, Ali and Liam Dawson (0) in quick succession to leave England reeling at 122-6.

Head takes the game away from England

Australia's openers, Finch and Head, got off to a flying start in reply, putting on 59 for the first wicket.

Head was particularly destructive, smashing the England bowlers to all parts of the ground.

Finch was eventually out to Chris Jordan (1-28), but Head continued to take the attack to England.

Marsh and Maxwell finish the job

Head was eventually dismissed by Reece Topley (1-35), but Marsh and Glenn Maxwell (30 not out) saw Australia home without further loss.

The win gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

What's next?

The second T20 international will be played in Canberra on Tuesday.