Amidst the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 frenzy, Jake Fraser-McGurk, a young South Australian batter, has managed to steal a part of the limelight. The 21-year-old opening batter became the talk of the town after he smashed a century from 29 balls -- the fastest in List-A cricket history!
Jake Fraser-McGurk's whirlwind innings meant the young Australian replaced South African great AB de Villiers' eight-year-old record for the fastest List A century. 'Mr 360' ABD had scored a 31-ball century against West Indies in an ODI at Johannesburg in 2015, which now stands second.
A century in 60 seconds!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 8, 2023
All 29 balls it took Jake Fraser-McGurk to reach his hundred today #MarshCup pic.twitter.com/tzpFtpr0ww
It was the Tasmanian bowlers who were at the receiving end of Fraser-McGurk's ruthless hitting at Adelaide's Karen Rolton Oval in the Marsh Cup tournament. The valiant knock came while South Australia was in pursuit of 435 -- the highest total in Australian domestic one-day history.
The knock was the fastest limited-overs ton scored in a professional match, while the opener's 18-ball fifty was the quickest by an Australian in 50-over cricket, the Cricket Australia website confirmed.
Here is what you need to know about Jake Fraser-McGurk -- a cricketer to watch out for in the years to come.
- Fraser-McGurk was reportedly only 17 when he debuted for Victoria in 2019. The teen immediately became a man to watch out for as he scored half-centuries in the Sheffield Shield and One-day Cup. However, he was unable to cross another milestone with the bat until the hundred against Tasmania, reports said.
- Fraser-McGurk plays for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL). He is, however, best known for his acrobatic fielding than his batting. The youngster made news twice for taking breathtaking catches near the boundary rope.
- However, Fraser-McGurk is yet to reciprocate brutal hitting in the game's shortest format. Despite being an opener, his T20 strike rate is 103.33 in 25 matches. He averages 13.28, statistics show.
- He was part of Australia's squad for the 2020 edition of the U-19 World Cup, but was forced to return home after being attacked by a monkey, ESPN Cricinfo said in a report.