Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis has blasted the fastest century by an Australian in T20 internationals as the tourists secured a series victory over Scotland in Edinburgh on Friday.
The 29-year-old reached triple figures in 43 deliveries as Australia manufactured a 70-run victory at The Grange, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The previous national record in men’s T20Is was 47 balls, jointly held by himself, Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch.
“It’s just a really good opportunity for me to get some game time in and try cement a spot in this side,” said Inglis, later named player of the match.
“It’s really tough, there’s a lot of good players in the squad so to put some performances on the board is really key.”
While his teammates struggled for timing on the two-paced surface, Inglis’ blazing 103 (49), which featured seven sixes, laid the foundation for Australia’s 4-196 in the Scottish capital. The hosts never looked like reeling in the 197-run target, rolled for 126 in 16.4 overs courtesy of a career-best bowling performance from all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.
The West Australian claimed 4-23 from 3.4 overs, his maiden four-wicket haul at international level, with fellow all-rounder Cameron Green snaring two scalps.
After Scotland captain Richie Berrington won the toss and chose to field first, seamer Brad Currie dismissed both of Australia’s openers during the Powerplay, including the dangerous Travis Head for a golden duck.
Inglis and Green (36 off 29 balls) revived the innings with a 92-run partnership for the third wicket before the latter became Currie’s third victim in the 12th over.
Australia's Josh Inglis. Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP
“To hold that record is really nice,” Inglis said.
“There was a bit happening early on; we lost a couple of early wickets (so) we spoke about building a partnership. Once the new ball wore down, it got easier to bat.”
Pinch-hitter Tim David provided some late fireworks after Inglis’ dismissal in the penultimate over, cracking an unbeaten 17 off seven balls including consecutive sixes. Currie finished with 3-37 while seamer Chris Cole claimed 1-17 from three economical overs, conceding just one boundary.
Fastest century for an Australian in men’s T20Is
43 balls – Josh Inglis vs SCO, 2024
47 balls – Aaron Finch vs ENG, 2013
47 balls – Josh Inglis vs IND, 2023
47 balls – Glenn Maxwell vs IND, 2023
49 balls – Glenn Maxwell vs SL, 2016
Scottish opener George Munsey (19 off nine balls) got the run chase off to a promising start before Australia’s seamers began wreaking havoc. Xavier Bartlett and Aaron Hardie removed the openers before Stoinis ripped through Scotland’s fragile middle order, with all four of his dismissals caught in the outfield.
Brandon McMullen was the only Scottish player to offer any resistance, smacking 59 from 42 balls before falling victim to Sean Abbott in the 13th over, at which point the result was a foregone conclusion.
The 24-year-old’s departure sparked a frantic collapse of 6-20 from 26 deliveries, with Stoinis and Green (2-16 from two overs) swiftly cleaning up the tail. Munsey and extras (14) were the only others to reach double digits.
The third and final T20 between Scotland and Australia gets underway at the same venue on Saturday at 11pm AEST.
