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Australia and Surrey all-rounder Sean Abbott smashed the joint-fastest century in T20 Blast history during their match against Kent at the Oval on Friday (May 26) night.
The 31-year-old's previous best with the bat was just 41 runs. However, against Kent, he smashed 11 sixes and reached his century off just 34 balls – equalling the record previously set by the late Andrew Symonds, ironically for Kent in 2004. This is also the joint fourth-fastest century of all-time in T20 cricket, just four balls more than the record set by West Indies great Chris Gayle in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 season.
His unbeaten 110 was crucial in digging the hosts out of a hole after they were reeling at 94 for five. Abbott shared an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Jordan Clark, who scored 29 runs off 17 balls.
Abbott smashed 30 runs in the 17th over itself, which was being bowled by his international team-mate Kane Richardson. He finished on 110 from 41 balls as Surrey posted a mammoth target of 223 for five.
In response, Kent openers Tawanda Muyeye (55 off 32) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (52 off 27) gave their team a bright start with a partnership of 108 runs. Joe Denly joined the attack as well, but after his wicket, the Kent batting collapsed as they managed only 182/7 in the stipulated 20 overs.
Sean Abbott joins elite T20 list
While Abbott is now fourth, Chris Gayle holds the record for the fastest T20 century in men’s cricket. He smashed his off just 30 balls while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Pune Warriors India (PWI) in IPL 2013.
Second on the list is Rishabh Pant, who hit the second-fastest century in T20 cricket, off just 32 balls for Delhi against Himachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The third fastest T20 century was smashed by South Africa batter Wihan Lubbe, who hit these runs during an Africa T20 Cup match between North West and Limpopo in 2018, off 33 balls.
Speaking after the game, Abbott refused to be drawn into comparisons with Symonds, “I don’t think people should be thinking about me and ‘Roy’ in the same breath,” Abbott said after his whirlwind innings to cricket.com.au. “But it was a lot of fun. I was just grateful to find the middle of the bat,” he added.
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