SCO vs AUS, 2nd T20I: Josh Inglis’ record hundred gives Australia series win

Australia clinched the T20I series against Scotland with a dominant 70-run victory in the second match at Grange CC, Edinburgh, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Josh Inglis was the star of the show, smashing the fastest-ever T20 International century by an Australian, leading his team to a formidable total of 196 for 4.

Australia recovered from early challenges with the new ball to post a formidable 196 for 4 in gloomy Edinburgh conditions. Scotland, despite a brilliant half-century from Brandon McMullen, fell short in their chase.

Travis Head, the hero of the previous match, was dismissed for a first-ball duck, bowled by Bradley Currie, who made an immediate impact on his return to the side. Currie struck again in his next over, dismissing Jack Fraser-McGurk (16) with Chris Sole taking a juggling catch near the long-off boundary.

At 23-2, Inglis and Cameron Green came together and began to rebuild the innings. Inglis was especially aggressive, hitting 19 runs off a Brad Wheal over during the powerplay. The duo added 92 for the third wicket before Currie dismissed Green for 36, taking a difficult caught-and-bowled opportunity.

Inglis, born in Leeds, reached his century in just 43 balls, smashing consecutive sixes off Currie over the leg-side. He eventually fell for 103 in the penultimate over, caught by Richie Berrington off Sole. Tim David added a late flourish, blasting 16 runs in the final over, including two towering sixes, to help Australia finish on 196-4.

Scotland started their chase strongly, with George Munsey smashing 17 runs off Xavier Bartlett’s opening over. However, Australia quickly hit back, with Aaron Hardie removing Michael Jones (1) and Bartlett dismissing Munsey (19) in quick succession, leaving Scotland at 20-2.

McMullen, who had impressed against Australia during the World Cup, was Scotland’s best hope. He signaled his intent early, launching Hardie for a huge six over long-off. However, his partners Berrington and Charlie Tear fell cheaply. McMullen continued to fight, reaching his half-century from 38 balls and guiding Scotland past 100.

He was eventually dismissed for 59, caught brilliantly by David on the long-on boundary off Sean Abbott, ending Scotland’s hopes of a comeback. Scotland collapsed from 106-4 to 126 all out, with Marcus Stoinis finishing with superb figures of 4-23.