Played just one game for Delhi Capitals, Australia batter smashes joint-fastest fifty in women's T20 history

35-year-old Laura Harris shrugged off poor run for Sydney Thunder in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) 2025 with a 15-ball fifty, the joint-fastest in women's T20 history. Laura equalled the record held by Marie Kelly. In 2022, she reached her fifty from just 15 balls representing Warwickshire against Gloucestershire.

On her debut for Otago against Canterbury in Women's Super Smash, Laura scored a 17-ball 52 in the successful run chase. Chasing a target of 146, Laura walked out to bat in the sixth over. After facing a dot ball from Gabby Sullivan, she hit two consecutive sixes.

ALSO READ: After controversial 2-day MCG affair, Australia release 2 players to play BBL ahead of Sydney Test

Laura kept on dealing in boundaries. The wicket of Felicity Leydon-Davis' wicket did not affect her scoring rate. In the 11th over, she hit a couple of fours and then a single to reach her half-century from 15 balls. Sullivan returned to dismiss her in the 12th over. But, she had taken Otago to the doorstep of victory.

Skipper Polly Inglis remained unbeaten for 19-ball 20 as Otago chase down the target of 146 with six wickets in hand and 31 balls to spare.

Earlier, Inglis won the toss and opted to bowl first. Canterbury lost early wickets but Izzy Sharp and Jodie Dean's 75-run partnership for the third wicket helped them recover. Dean departed for a 30-ball 34 but Sharp remained unbeaten for a 47-ball 65. Sharp's half-century helped Canterbury post 145/6, a par score made to look small by Laura’s power-hitting.

What’s the fastest fifty record in women’s T20Is?

While Laura equalled the record for fastest fifty in women's T20s (domestic, franchise and T20Is), the record is shared by three batters in women's T20Is.

In 2015, Sophie Devine scored an 18-ball fifty against India in Bengaluru. Eight years later, Phoebe Litchfield achieved the feat against West Indies in Sydney. The latest to achieve the feat is India's Richa Ghosh who did it against the Caribbean side as well. The India wicketkeeper-batter did it at DY Patil Stadium in 2024.