Key Takeaway:
South African prodigy Steve Stolk's blazing 13-ball fifty in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup shattered records, steering his team to a resounding victory against Scotland.
South African youngster Steve Stolk smashed the fastest half-century in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup history powering the hosts to thrash Scotland by seven wickets after chasing the 270 runs target in only 27 overs.
It was the Group B match at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024, where South Africa U19 hosted Scotland U19 at Potchefstroom. After South African captain Juan James chose to field first, Scotland U19 scored 269/9 in 50 overs. Opener Jamie Dunk (90) and skipper Owen Gould (97) had huge roles in setting up that challenging first batting total as both recorded nervous nineties.
However, the 270-run target never seemed challenging for the tournament hosts, thanks to the opener Steve Stolk’s fiery batting performance.
Steve Stolk recorded fastest fifty in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup history
Stolk completed his fifty in just 13 balls as he scored 86 runs in only 37 balls with the help of seven fours and eight sixes. When South Africa lost the first wicket, as the other opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius (22) was dismissed, they already scored 114 runs in nine overs. Stolk was trapped for lbw by Nikhil Koteeswaran in the 11th over, while the right-handed batter had a strike rate of 232.43.
During the third over of the second innings, which was also Qasim Khan’s second over, Stolk completed his fifty by smashing 34 runs in that over. Apart from the fifth ball of that over, where Stolk hit a four, he smashed sixes in all the remaining five balls of that over.
Steve Stolk broke Rishabh Pant’s record
With his 13-ball fifty, Stolk set a new record for the fastest fifty in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup history. Previously, Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant had the record for the fastest half-century in tournament history with an 18-ball fifty against Nepal at Dhaka in 2016.
Coming back to the South Africa U19 vs Scotland U19 match, Dewan Marais played the promising role with David Teeger after the dismissal of Stolk. While Marais scored 80 not out off 50 balls with eight fours and three sixes, Teeger remained unbeaten for 43 off 38 balls with six fours.
