Former Australia Under-19 batter Harjas Singh, who was part of the side that won Under-19 T20 World Cup 2024 in South Africa, wreaked havoc in Sydney grade cricket on October 4. Harjas smashed 35 sixes in his mayhem-filled knock of 314 from 141 balls for Western Suburbs against Sydney Cricket Club.
Batting at no.3, Harjas reached his century from 74 balls in the 35th over. It was later in the innings that he put up a display of exceptional ball-striking. He scored 214 runs off the next 67 balls he faced, helping his side post a total of 483/5. No other batter could score a half-century. The openers contributed in 30s.
"Definitely that's the cleanest ball-striking I've ever witnessed from myself, for sure," Singh told Fox Cricket after the match. "It's something I'm quite proud of because I've worked in the off-season quite a bit on my power-hitting, and for it to come off today was quite special."
Harjas back on track
In the final against Uday Saharan-led India Under-19, he batted at no.4 and scored a half-century. Australia won the final by 79 runs. While few of his Under-19 teammates went on to play first-class cricket, did not get a New South Wales rookie contract.
"I've missed out the last season or two, worrying about stuff outside my own game," he said. "But I feel like I've brought myself to just worrying about what's going on with my own game."
Harjas also has a century to his name in Youth Tests against England Under-19 which came in 2023. He is looking to rise through the ranks and focus on his game.
Harjas in company of elites
However, Harjas is not the only Australian batter to score a triple century in white-ball cricket in New South Wales Premier first grade history. In 1903, Victor Trumper scored 335. Trumper went on to represent Australia in 48 Tests. In 2007, former Australia opener Phil Jaques scored 321. He played 11 Tests and six ODIs for Australia.