RECORD-BREAKING INGLIS FIRES AUSTRALIA TO SERIES WIN
Australia took an unassailable 2-0 series lead over Scotland, as Josh Inglis struck the fastest-ever T20 International century by an Australian man to lead his side to a 70-run victory at Grange CC.
In dreich conditions in Edinburgh, Australia overcame a testing new ball period to post 196-4, which ultimately proved out of reach for Scotland despite a superb half-century from Brandon McMullen.
There would be no repeat of Wednesday’s heroics from Travis Head, as he fell first ball this time round, bowled by Bradley Currie on his return to the side.
Currie would strike again in his next over to remove Jack Fraser-McGurk (16), Chris Sole juggling the ball running back towards the long-off boundary, taking an excellent catch at the second attempt.
Inglis and Cameron Green, coming together at 23-2, soon had Australia back on track, Inglis in particularly taking on the Scotland attack, striking 19 from a Brad Wheal over inside the powerplay.
The pair added 92 for the third wicket before the reintroduction of Currie brought about Green’s downfall, the Sussex bowler taking a steepling caught and bowled opportunity to remove Green for 36.
The Leeds-born Inglis would go to his record-breaking century in just 43 deliveries, as he hoisted Currie away for consecutive sixes over the leg-side.
He would eventually fall in the penultimate over for 103, caught by Richie Berrington off Chris Sole.
Tim David would take 16 from the final over, bowled by Wheal, including monstrous sixes off just his second and third ball faced, as Australia finished on 196-4.
In similar fashion to the opening game, George Munsey got the Scotland innings off to a flier, taking 17 from Xavier Bartlett’s opening over.
However, Australia would hit back, Aaron Hardie removing Michael Jones (1), and Bartlett dismissing George Munsey (19) in the space of three balls to reduce Scotland to 20-2.
Brandon McMullen, who shone against Australia in the World Cup with a 34-ball 60, was Scotland’s biggest hope, and showed his intent by dancing down the track and planting Aaron Hardie high over long-off.
Berrington and Charlie Tear would both fall cheaply, McMullen reaching a superb half-century from 38 balls in the 12th over, as he took his side past 100.
He would eventually fall for 59, caught superbly by David, running quickly to his left, on the long on boundary, off the bowling of Sean Abbott.
That would end any hopes Scotland had of chasing down their total, slipping from 106-4 to 126 all out, Marcus Stoinis finishing with impressive figures of 4-23.