Tom Mackenzie hits 41 runs off one over in ACTA T20 and takes eight wickets in Premier Cricket

Have you ever seen a better two days of cricket than this? An Adelaide cricketer has blasted a record-breaking T20 over with the bat, days after a remarkable bowling performance.

Tom Mackenzie reckons he might need to look at retiring and finishing on top after his amazing past two days of cricket.

It began on Saturday when the leg-spinner returned from injury and bowled his way to career-best figures of 8/42 for Kensington’s second grade against Southern District.

Then, on Tuesday evening, he turned out for Old Scotch in an Adelaide Turf T20 match against Reynella and somehow outdid himself, this time with the bat.

Kensington and Old Scotch cricketer Tom Mackenzie took eight wickets for the Browns on Saturday then backed it up with a 41-run over on Tuesday. Picture: Matt Loxton

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Mackenzie blasted 41 runs off a single over – believed to be an association record – to inspire his side to victory chasing the hosts 3/193.

Old Scotch appeared in trouble at 6/118 until the 26-year-old faced his second over.

Taking full advantage of a short boundary on the northern side of Reynella Oval, Mackenzie smashed six sixes, a four and benefited from a no ball to reach the remarkable 41.

He finished the innings unbeaten on 73 – his half century coming off just 10 balls – as Old Scotch reached victory with two wickets in hand and nine balls to spare.

“It was a pretty special game of cricket … I surprised myself even,” said Mackenzie, a Scotch old scholar.

MOST RUNS OFF ONE OVERWe are hearing reports of Tom Mackenzie (dual Registered player with Kensington District Cricket...

Posted by Adelaide Turf Cricket Association - ATCA on Tuesday, November 30, 2021

“Once the first one went over the rope, the second one did and it just kept happening.

“The four came about ball number three and I thought ‘that’s slightly disappointing I’m never going to have a shot at six sixes again’ but the very next ball was a no ball which went for six.

“I said to my partner ‘I’ve got two balls to try and get six sixes here’, just joking around.

“The next one went over the boundary, then hands were starting to shake but he chucked down a half-tracker and I just had to help that over really.

“The whole game turned in the matter of a minute. It was great to be a part of.”

Mackenzie’s 41-run over in Tuesday night’s ACTA T20 match is believed to be an association record. Picture: Matt Loxton

Mackenzie – a spinner who said he doesn’t put too much expectation on his batting – believed the stars also aligned on Saturday for his eight wickets.

He played a huge hand on a spin-friendly pitch at Bice Oval as the Browns rolled Southern for 145.

Making the feats just three days apart even more remarkable is the fact Saturday was Mackenzie’s first game back in more than a month due to a hip injury.

He said the two matches would be something he remembers for a long time.

“I might have to start looking at hanging up the boots, I don’t think I’ll ever play a better couple of games than that,” he said.

Mackenzie will also celebrate his 27th birthday this Saturday, though it will be difficult to top the highs he has already experienced in the week leading in.