Travis Head struck a remarkable 19-ball half-century, including hitting 30 off one over, as Australia beat England by 28 runs in the first game of their T20I series in Southampton on Wednesday.

Head banged four sixes and eight fours in an explosive innings of 59 as Australia raced to 86/0 in 5.5 overs.

Opener Matthew Short also struck two sixes in his knock of 41. But Australia, having reached the halfway point on 118/2, were pegged back by England’s spinners to end on 179.

Having gained momentum after taking 10 Australian wickets for just 93, England were unable to carry it into their innings and were never really in the hunt.

Featuring T20I debutants Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethell and Jamie Overton and captained by Phil Salt in the absence of an injured Jos Buttler, England slumped to 52/4 as wickets fell at regular intervals on a chilly evening.

Sean Abbott took three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa scalped two apiece as England were all out for 151.

Earlier, Head took a couple of overs to get his eye in but then let rip in spectacular fashion as Australia cashed in during the Powerplay to leave England gasping for breath.

Sam Curran came in for some fearsome punishment in the fifth over as Head began with successive fours before thumping a hat-trick of sixes and finishing it by carving another boundary. Head was eventually out, top-edging Saqib Mahmood to the deep square leg boundary, where Cox pouched the catch.

“I was trying to acclimatise to a wicket with pace, hitting good shots while Shorty also got a cracking start,” Head said. “A bit of a luck, but I’ve worked hard to play with a freer mindset.”

Following Head’s dismissal, captain Mitchell Marsh was bowled by Adil Rashid for two, but with Short also in attack mode, Australia were poised for a huge score.

Short departed in the 11th over though, top-edging a slog sweep off the bowling of Liam Livingstone with Curran taking a well-judged catch, and the wheels began to fall off. Livingstone had Marcus Stoinis and Tim David trapped lbw in successive deliveries as Australia slumped to 132/5.

Brief scores: Australia 179 in 19.3 ovs (Travis Head 59; Liam Livingstone 3/22). England 151 in 19.2 ovs (Liam Livingstone 37; Sean Abbott 3/28). Australia won by 28 runs.