The pitch at the Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh for the second T20I between Scotland and Australia proved challenging for batters on both sides, making free scoring more difficult than in the first match. However, Josh Inglis seemed unaffected by the conditions. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter put on a stunning display, smashing a record-breaking century to lead Australia to a dominant 70-run victory. The win secured an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series for Australia.
Travis Head, fresh off a century in the opening match, was dismissed for a first-ball duck after Scotland won the toss. His departure brought Inglis to the crease, and the number three batter wasted no time. Inglis hammered seven fours and seven sixes, reaching his century in just 43 balls, breaking the previous fastest T20I hundred record for an Australian men’s cricketer, which was held jointly by Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, and Aaron Finch.
Fastest T20I centuries for Australia (by balls faced):
- 43 – Josh Inglis vs Scotland, Edinburgh, 2024*
- 47 – Aaron Finch vs England, Southampton, 2013
- 47 – Josh Inglis vs India, Visakhapatnam, 2023
- 47 – Glenn Maxwell vs India, Guwahati, 2023
- 49 – Glenn Maxwell vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele, 2016
Inglis finished with 103 off 49 balls, forming the backbone of Australia’s 196-4, while Scotland struggled to 126 all out in reply. To highlight Inglis’ dominance, the rest of Australia’s top six managed just 89 runs from 73 balls combined. Inglis hit more boundaries than the rest of the Australian team combined, and his strike rate of 210 was nearly double that of his teammates who faced at least 10 balls.
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“It’s pretty special, to be honest,” the 29-year-old Inglis said after the match. “To hold that record is really nice. There was a bit happening early on, but once the new ball wore off, it got easier. I just looked to play some good shots and show intent. It’s a great opportunity for me to get game time and try to cement my spot. There are a lot of good players, so putting performances on the board is key.”
Brad Currie, leading Scotland’s bowling attack, took 3-37 and bowled Head for a golden duck. Despite Currie’s efforts, Inglis dominated before eventually being dismissed in the covers by Chris Sole.
Scotland’s chase never gained momentum, with Brandon McMullen playing a lone hand of 59. Marcus Stoinis was the pick of the Australian bowlers, claiming 4-23.