The 31-year-old Australian all-rounder Sean Abbott equalled the record for the fastest century in the T20 Blast history. The Surrey cricketer recorded a 34-ball century against Kent last Friday (26 May).
In the ongoing T20 Blast 2023, The Oval hosted that South Group game Surrey vs Kent. After Kent chose to bowl first, Surrey were struggling at 94/5 in the 13th over. However, the no.6 batter Sean Abbot’s remarkable 110 not out off 41 balls (four fours and 11 sixes) guided Surrey to the total of 223/5 (20 overs).
In reply, Kent scored 182/7 (20 overs) as Surrey won by 41 runs. Though the openers Tawanda Muyeye (59) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (52) had the 108-run partnership for the first wicket, other Kent batters failed to carry that momentum.
Sean Abbott: 34-ball century; 110 not out off 41 balls
Surrey cricketer Sean Abbott completed his maiden T20 century in just 34 balls. It was the joint-fastest century in the T20 Blast history. He equalled the record of Kent cricketer Andrew Symonds’ 34-ball hundred back in Twenty20 Cup 2004.
Fastest century in T20 Blast
Player (Team) | Nationality | Balls to complete century | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Andrew Symonds (Kent) | Australian | 34 | Middlesex | Maidstone | 2 July 2004 |
Sean Abbott (Surrey) | Australian | 34 | Kent | The Oval | 26 May 2023 |
Martin Guptill (Worcestershire) | New Zealand | 35 | Northamptonshire | Northampton | 27 July 2018 |
Scott Styris (Sussex) | New Zealand | 37 | Gloucestershire | Hove | 24 July 2012 |
Dan Christian (Nottinghamshire) | Australian | 37 | Northamptonshire | Northampton | 6 July 2018 |
Meanwhile, Abbott’s 34-ball century was also the joint fourth-fastest century in T20 cricket history.
Fastest T20 centuries
Player (Team) | Nationality | Balls to complete century | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | Jamaican | 30 | Pune Warriors India | Bengaluru | 23 April 2013 |
Rishabh Pant (Delhi) | Indian | 32 | Himachal Pradesh | Delhi | 14 January 2018 |
Wihan Lubbe (North West) | South African | 33 | Limpopo | Paarl | 15 September 2018 |
Andrew Symonds (Kent) | Australian | 34 | Middlesex | Maidstone | 2 July 2004 |
Sean Abbott (Surrey) | Australian | 34 | Kent | The Oval | 26 May 2023 |
On the other hand, Abbott’s 110 not out was the third-highest individual score in T20 cricket by a no.6 batter.
Highest score in T20 cricket by a no.6 batter
Player (Team) | Runs | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Shaheryar Butt (Belgium) | 125* | Czech Republic | Walferdange | 29 August 2020 |
Dan Christian ( Nottinghamshire) | 113* | Northampton | Northampton | 6 July 2018 |
Sean Abbott (Surrey) | 110* | Kent | The Oval | 26 May 2023 |
Dawid Malan (Middlesex) | 103 | Lancashire | The Oval | 8 July 2008 |
Rakep Patel (Kenya) | 103 | Nepal | ICCA 2 Dubai | 16 November 2013 |
Iftikhar Ahmed (Fortune Barishal) | 100* | Rangpur Riders | Chattogram | 19 January 2023 |
Andre Russell (Jamaica Tallawahs) | 100 | Trinbago Knight Riders | Basseterre | 5 August 2016 |