Jake Fraser-McGurk (Image: IANS)
Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting, smashing the fastest half-century in One-Day Cup history as South Australia posted a commanding 397/7 against Queensland at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide on Saturday.The 24-year-old opener raced to his fifty in just 14 deliveries, breaking his own tournament record. He eventually scored 122 off 63 balls, hammering 10 fours and nine sixes to put South Australia in a dominant position. His effort also ranks among the joint fourth-fastest half-centuries in List A cricket, with India's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi holding the world record for the fastest fifty, off just 11 balls.
Fraser-McGurk found an equally impressive partner in South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney, who registered his third List A century with a composed 106 off 103 balls.
Their efforts helped the hosts finish with a formidable total in their 50 overs.
Fraser-McGurk Goes on the Attack
Fraser-McGurk wasted little time taking control of the innings. He plundered 22 runs from Tom Straker's second over before launching an assault on Tom Whitney in the fourth, striking two sixes and a four.The Australian brought up his half-century in the sixth over with a boundary off Hayden Kerr and continued his onslaught, racing to 75 off just 22 deliveries.
With the fastest List A century in sight, he briefly threatened to surpass his own record of reaching three figures in 29 balls.However, after surviving a couple of chances, Fraser-McGurk tempered his aggression before accelerating again. He smashed two consecutive sixes off Whitney and brought up his century in just 49 deliveries.
His explosive knock finally ended at 122 in the 21st over when Kerr dismissed him, but the opener had already provided South Australia with a flying start.
McSweeney Provides Crucial Support
While Fraser-McGurk supplied the fireworks, McSweeney anchored the innings with a well-paced century. The South Australia skipper struck 106 off 103 balls, reaching his third List A hundred and ensuring the hosts maintained their momentum after the opener's dismissal.Fraser-McGurk's performance also continued his remarkable record at the Karen Rolton Oval. Across six List A innings at the Adelaide venue, he has accumulated runs at an average of 68.66 and a strike rate of 204.97, including two centuries and a half-century. His record-breaking innings, combined with McSweeney's contribution, gave South Australia a strong platform as they finished on 397/7 against Queensland.