Max Bryant slams fastest-ever half-century by a Queenslander as SA's quicks are punished in Sydney
And he's only 19: Teen slams Bulls record
Teenager Max Bryant has smashed the fastest-ever List A fifty by a Queensland player in his side's rapid response to South Australia's 280 in today's JLT One-Day Cup match at Hurstville Oval.
Bryant made a spectacular 71 from 31 balls, with 68 of those runs coming in boundaries (eight fours and six sixes), and reached his fifty in the ninth over, from just 23 deliveries.
As well as being the quickest by a Bulls player, it was the equal-fifth fastest in the history of Australia's domestic one-day tournament.
The robust right-hander was only stopped by a well-pitched wrong'un from Adam Zampa, who broke the first-wicket stand of 106 in the 11th over.
Image Id: 8542ABDB5C7A4FE9A1762A5EFC834796 Image Caption: Bryant scored 68 of his 71 runs in boundaries // GettyBryant, 19, has been earmarked for big things for a couple of seasons, earning a rookie contract with Brisbane Heat last summer after playing the JLT Cup with the Cricket Australia XI, for whom he scored 168 runs from six innings, with a best of 89.
The absence of Usman Khawaja and Matthew Renshaw on Test duty afforded the teen an opportunity at the top of the order with the Bulls this year, and he has taken it in fine fashion, making scores of 45, 36 and 71 today.
"He's an exciting young player," said Chris Lynn earlier this month of the young batsman who looks to have borrowed from the Bash Brother's aggressive play sheet
"He's obviously still very raw but the way he can grab momentum up the top of the order is huge in one-day cricket.
"We've got him on the books for the Brisbane Heat as well, so that's very exciting.
"We're going to see over the next three or four weeks what he can do, and hopefully I can build some partnerships and a strong relationship with him, because I think moving forward he's going to be a big player for Queensland Cricket."
Fastest fifties in Australia's domestic one-day tournament
19 balls: Glenn Maxwell, Vic v Tas, 2011-12
21 balls: David Hookes, SA v WA, 1990-91
22 balls: Jake Lehmann, SA v Vic, 2017-18
22 balls: Tom Cooper, SA v Vic, 2017-18
23 balls: Dan Christian, SA v NSW, 2010-11
23 balls: Max Bryant, Qld v SA, 2018-19