New Zealand opener Chad Bowes on October 23 created history in The Ford Trophy clash between Canterbury and Otago by scoring the fastest double century in List A cricket. Bowes completed his double century from just 103 balls. He broke the record for fastest double century in the 50-over format held by Australia opener Travis Head and India's Narayan Jagadeesan from 114 balls.
Bowes went ballistic as he missed out on making it to New Zealand’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka announced on October 23.
Bowes became the first batter since Jamie How to score a double century in the tournament's history. How scored 222 for Central Stags in the 2012/13 edition of the tournament.
Bowes did not seem concerned about wickets falling at the other end and continued to fire after Henry Nicholls, Rhys Mariu and wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay were dismissed cheaply. He got to his century from 53 balls. The record for fastest century in the competition is held by legendary BlackCaps batter Ross Taylor from 49 balls.
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Easy win for Canterbury
Bowes reached his double century in the 34th over of the match. He scored 205 runs from 110 balls including 27 fours and seven sixes. After him, the top score for Canterbury was scored by Zakary Foulkes who remained unbeaten for a 46-ball 49. Bowes was dismissed lbw by Matthew Bacon in the 39th over. Bacon bagged a five-wicket haul but could not stop Canterbury from posting 343/9 on the board.
Otago Volts crumbled in the run chase and were bowled out for 103 in 24.5 overs. Sean Davey and Michael Rippon bagged three wickets each.
Bowes’ international career
Bowes made his last appearance in ODIs and T20Is in 2023. The 32-year-old has scored 99 runs from six ODIs with his highest score being 51. In T20Is, he has scored 187 runs from 11 innings at an average of 17. His only half-century came against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
The last time he was on Sri Lanka tour, he scored 50 runs from three T20Is and 15 runs from two ODIs.
