Travis Head becomes the fastest to List A double century in the 50-over domestic tournament in Australia. Head reached the rare 200-run mark from just 114 deliveries to become the fastest double centurion in the format. The left-handed batter scored 230 runs from 127 deliveries for South Australia against Queensland at Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide in a rain-curtailed 48-over innings.
This is Head’s second List A double century earning him a spot in the list of elite batters. Only India’s swashbuckling opener Rohit Sharma has three double centuries in the format (ODI) whereas England’s Ali Brown has scored two double tons including the highest individual score in the format at 268.
The 27-year-old’s record-breaking 230-run knock is the second-highest List A score for Australia after D’Arcy Short, who scored 257 in September 2018 for West Australia against Queensland. His 230 is also the sixth-highest score by a batter in List A cricket.
His innings featured 28 fours and eight sixes. He reached his century from just 65 balls which is also a state record. The southpaw’s innings helped South Australia post 391/8, their second-highest score total in the competition’s history.
Batting at no.3, Head had support from opener Jake Weatherald who missed his century by just three runs. He lost his wicket in the 47th over and missed the chance to become the fourth batsman in the format’s history to get past the 250-run mark.
Chasing a revised target of 380 in 44 overs (by Duckworth Lewis Stern method), Queensland put up a fight and bundled out for 312 in the 41st over losing the match by 68 runs.
With his double century, Head has solidified his position to be considered for Australia's Test squad for the upcoming Ashes 2021-22 at home starting on December 8. He will also be eyeing a comeback in the limited-overs format after a long period of almost three years.
