Dallas: In a thrilling display of power-hitting, USA batsman Aaron Jones etched his name into the cricketing history books on Sunday. The 29-year-old dazzled the crowd with an electrifying 94 runs off just 40 balls against Canada, becoming only the second cricketer, after the legendary Chris Gayle, to hit 10 or more sixes in a T20 World Cup match.
Jones’s knock was nothing short of spectacular, peppering the boundary with relentless aggression. His 10 towering sixes echoed the achievement of Gayle, who first accomplished this feat in the inaugural T20 World Cup match between the West Indies and South Africa in Johannesburg on September 11, 2007. Gayle had set the bar high with 117 runs off 55 balls, studded with 10 sixes.
As Jones stood unbeaten at 94, his innings proved pivotal in the USA's chase of Canada's formidable 195-run target. The USA comfortably reached the target in just 17.4 overs, losing only three wickets along the way. Jones’s innings is now etched as the second-highest individual score in a T20 World Cup opener.
While Gayle still holds the record for the most sixes in a T20 World Cup match – 11 sixes against England in the 2016 T20 World Cup at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium – Jones’s feat stands as a testament to his batting prowess.
Barbados-born Jones, coming in at No.4 for the USA, orchestrated a dominant performance against the Canadian bowlers. He forged a crucial 131-run partnership for the third wicket with Andries Gous, who contributed a steady 65 runs off 46 balls. Jones sealed the historic victory with a signature six, marking the USA’s first-ever win in T20 World Cup history.
For his stellar performance, Jones was awarded the Player of the Match. As the tournament progresses, the right-handed batsman will be a key player for the USA in their upcoming clashes against Pakistan, India, and Ireland. These matches are scheduled to take place in Dallas, New York, and Florida on June 6, 12, and 14, respectively.
This remarkable win and Jones's explosive innings have set a high bar for the USA team, promising an exciting journey ahead in the T20 World Cup.