Jake Fraser-McGurk Hits Record-Breaking Century to Ignite Marsh One-Day Cup
In a jaw-dropping display of ball striking, South Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk registered his name into this history books with a world-record-breaking performance at the Karen Rolton Oval. In a Marsh One-Day Cup match that will be remembered for years to come, Fraser-McGurk unleashed a blazing onslaught, scoring a century in just 29 balls, making it the fastest white-ball ton ever recorded.
The stage was set with Tasmania posting a formidable total of 9-435, a record in itself. However, what followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Fraser-McGurk’s explosive century not only eclipsed AB de Villiers’ previous record of 31 balls for the fastest one-day century but also set new benchmarks in limited-overs cricket.
Fraser-McGurk’s rampage began with a blistering 18-ball fifty, the fastest by an Australian in 50-over cricket. The 21-year-old then accelerated his assault, requiring a mere 11 deliveries to transition from 50 to 100. In total, he scored a breathtaking 125 runs from just 38 deliveries, striking an astonishing 13 sixes and 10 fours along the way.
This century marked a significant milestone for Fraser-McGurk, as it was his first in any professional format. It was a bold statement from the Melbourne-born right-hander, who had recently moved from Victoria to South Australia in pursuit of more opportunities.
By breaking Luke Ronchi’s previous record for the fastest Australian domestic one-day century by a staggering 22 deliveries, Fraser-McGurk underlined the magnitude of his achievement.
Fraser-McGurk’s innings was a spectacle to behold. He kickstarted his assault by smashing four sixes and two fours in Sam Rainbird’s second over, a display that left fans and critics alike in awe.
South Australia Fell 37 Runs Short in Their Chase
Tasmanian bowlers found no respite as he went on to hit five consecutive sixes, reaching the three-figure mark in the ninth over of the innings. As Fraser-McGurk departed the crease, his opening partner Henry Hunt was left unbeaten on 39 runs, bearing witness to the breathtaking exhibition of talent.
While Fraser-McGurk’s century was the headline act, the overall match was a run-fest, setting records in Australian men’s domestic limited-overs history. Tasmania’s colossal total of 9-435, powered by boundary-blitzing performances from Jordan Silk (116 from 85 balls), Caleb Jewell (90 off 52), and Mac Wright (51 off 31), was a testament to the batter-friendly nature of the Adelaide pitch and the short boundaries.
South Australia, however, will be buoyed by the fact that they had previously set a competition record with 7-420 against the Cricket Australia XI in 2016. With the pitch favoring the batsmen and Fraser-McGurk’s astonishing century setting the tone, the Redbacks had their sights firmly set on a historic run chase.
However in the end, South Australia fell 37 runs short in their chase, being bowled out for 398 runs in 46.4 overs. There were some good innings from Nathan McSweeney and Daniel Drew but the task proved insurmountable as in last few overs, South Australia lost wickets in clusters.
