Josh Inglis set a new benchmark for the fastest century by an Australian men’s cricketer on Friday, helping his team cruise to a 70-run win over Scotland in the second T20I. The victory gave Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Playing at the Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh, the pitch proved challenging for most batters, with free scoring being far more difficult than in the first T20I. However, Inglis defied the conditions, smashing his way to a record-breaking century. The wicketkeeper-batter reached his ton in just 43 balls, surpassing the previous fastest T20I century for Australia, a record jointly held by Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, and former captain Aaron Finch.
Travis Head, fresh off a century in the first match, fell for a first-ball duck after Scotland won the toss. This brought Inglis to the crease, where he hammered seven fours and seven sixes, reaching his hundred in stunning fashion. His 43-ball century broke the previous Australian T20I record of 47 balls.
Fastest T20I Centuries by Australian Players (in balls):
- 43 – Josh Inglis vs Scotland, Edinburgh, 2024
- 47 – Aaron Finch vs England, Southampton, 2013
- 47 – Josh Inglis vs India, Visakhapatnam, 2023
- 47 – Glenn Maxwell vs India, Guwahati, 2023
- 49 – Glenn Maxwell vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele, 2016
Inglis’s knock of 103 from 49 balls was the backbone of Australia’s total of 196-4. In comparison, the rest of Australia’s top six managed just 89 runs from 73 balls combined. His strike rate of 210 was nearly double that of his teammates who faced at least 10 balls. Scotland’s response fell short as they were bowled out for 126, with Brandon McMullen top-scoring with 59. Marcus Stoinis was the standout bowler for Australia, taking 4-23.
Inglis reflected on the achievement, saying, “It feels pretty special to hold that record… It was a good opportunity to get some game time and hopefully cement my spot.”
Brief Scores:
Australia 196-4 (Josh Inglis 103; Brad Currie 3-37)
Scotland 126 all out (Brandon McMullen 59; Marcus Stoinis 4-23).
