Australian prodigy Jake Fraser-McGurk breaks world record with 29-ball Marsh Cup century

Forget AB De Villiers, Chris Gayle and Andrew Symonds. An Australian young gun is now the proud owner of the fastest hundred ever in world cricket.

The batsman who was once scratched on the face by a monkey turned into a batting gorilla on Sunday, as Jake Fraser-McGurk broke the world record for the fastest ever hundred.

Playing for South Australia against Tasmania in a one-day cup game at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, Fraser-McGurk smashed his ton off just 29 balls – making it the most rapid ton ever scored in professional cricket, whether it be 50-over cricket or T20.

The batting tornado from the 21-year-old opener came in response to a Tasmanian side who themselves set an Australian record for the highest ever one-day total, posting 9-435 after being sent in by South Australia.

The previous List A fastest hundred record was held by South Africa’s AB de Villiers (31 balls v West Indies in 2014-15) but with that swamped by McGurk, the Redbacks threatened to chase down Tasmania’s record total, before ultimately being bowled out for 398 to fall 37 runs short.

Fraser-McGurk is nicknamed ‘Rooster’ – not only for his unmistakable swagger and confidence – but also for his chicken-like sounding surname.

But on Sunday afternoon in Adelaide, he became Fraser-Berserk.

Let go by Victoria, Fraser-McGurk has made a new home at the Redbacks and after a promising youth career where he was touted as a prodigy, he has now announced himself as a force to be reckoned with in Australian cricket with his blistering masterclass ultimately coming to an end at 125 off 38 balls.

Jake Fraser-McGurk celebrates his ton off 29 balls. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Jake Fraser-McGurk is a new world record holder. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Fraser-McGurk punished every corner of Adelaide’s No.2 ground, slaughtering 10 fours and 13 sixes.

The ball striking was simply unbelievable.

Opening partner Henry Hunt (51 off 47) was basically a spectator for a first-wicket partnership of 172 off 11.4 overs which ended when Fraser-McGurk was caught by former teammate Jake Weatherald off the bowling off Beau Webster.

Fraser-McGurk was set to be a star of the 2020 under 19s World Cup in South Africa when he was dramatically scratched on the face by a monkey during an Australian team visit to a wildlife park in Kimberley.

“I guess it serves me right for getting too close to the animal enclosure. That’s a lesson learned,” Fraser-McGurk said at the time.

“I look forward to completing the treatment and getting back on the field as soon as possible.

“I’d like to thank all the staff from the nature reserve and Cricket Australia for their care and support.”

The first man UNDER 3️⃣0️⃣ BALLS! 🤯

Unprecedented! Unrivalled! What a moment for Jake Fraser-McGurk! 🏏👏#9WWOS#Cricketpic.twitter.com/pakx6eSlSC

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) October 8, 2023

The record-breaking ton on Sunday was Fraser-McGurk’s first ever domestic hundred from his nine Shield games, 16 List A games and 25 T20s.

Fraser-McGurk was given a license to explode after Jordan Silk (116 off 85) and Caleb Jewell (90 off 52) blasted Tasmania to their mammoth total of 9-435, which is now the benchmark in the history of Australian 50-over cricket.

South Australia would have been regretting their decision to let Tasmania bat first, until Fraser-McGurk clucked his feathers and made a name for himself.

Fraser-McGurk played his first ever senior game of cricket aged just 11 and back in 2019 was hailed by then under 19s coach and former Test opening batsman Chris Rogers as one of the best talents he’d seen.

As a teenager the young star handled the bowling of senior Test stars Jackson Bird and Michael Neser with class on tough wickets in Brisbane.

“On tough wickets, with new balls. He was brilliant,” Rogers said in 2019.

“In terms of talent, technically and physically, he’s off the charts. He’s as good as I have seen for a long time.”