Travis Head puts Pakistan to the sword with stunning ton off just SEVENTY balls

Travis Head put a languid Test series behind him to contribute a sensational century to get Australia off to a strong start against Pakistan in their ODI series.

Head made just 68 runs across four innings as the Aussies clinched a series victory on the final day of the final Test last week, but he put his miserable red ball form behind him with a sumptuous knock in Lahore.

The batsman surged to a terrific ton from just 70 deliveries to help an under-strength Aussie side begin the fifty-over series strongly on Tuesday.

Travis Head made a stunning century off just 70 deliveries in the first ODI against Pakistan

Pakistan won the toss and elected to field against the tourists in the first one-day international with fast bowler Nathan Ellis and legspinner Mitchell Swepson making their ODI debuts for Australia after the visitors’ white-ball squad was hit by coronavirus infections.

Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar was ruled out of the three-match series after a COVID-19 test returned positive on Tuesday, a day after another positive for wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis. Team physiotherapist Brendan Wilson is also infected.

Captain Aaron Finch said he would have bowled first, too, because of potential dew in the evening.

Ellis played two Twenty20s against Bangladesh last year and took a hat trick on debut. Swepson made his test debut during the recent 1-0 series victory in Pakistan.

Pakistan awarded ODI debuts to fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim and legspinner Zahid Mahmood as the home team rested its premier pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. Vice-captain Shadab Khan has yet to recover from a hamstring injury sustained during the Pakistan Super League last month. 

The batsman had a poor Test series but put his red ball form behind him on Tuesday in Lahore