New Zealand batter Chad Bowes set up a massive leather hunt for the Otago Volts bowlers in the domestic Ford Cup tournament as he smashed the fastest List A double hundred on Wednesday morning.
Representing Canterbury Kings, the out-of-favour BlackCaps batter, waltzed to a stunning 103-ball double century opening the batting against the Volts. With his record-breaking effort, the 32-year-old Bowes smacked 27 fours and seven sixes as he powered the Kings to 343 for nine in 50 overs.
Bowes broke the joint-record of Australia’s Travis Head and Indian wicket-keeper batter N Jagadeesan, who achieved their double hundreds in 114 balls. He eventually fell on 205 off 110 deliveries.
A world record for Chad Bowes! Brings up his double century from just 103 balls for Canterbury! Travis Head and Narayan Jagadeesan with the previous List A record of 114 balls. LIVE stream + HIGHLIGHTS | https://t.co/XdSuQE7ceZ #FordTrophy pic.twitter.com/mNZe65UEtE
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 23, 2024
Bowes’ double hundred is also the second such feat in the tournament after Jamie How’s 222 for Central Stags in 2012-13. Incidentally, Bowes’ marathon knock also came while featuring in his 100th List A match.
The right-handed opening batter has appeared in six ODIs and 11 T20Is for the Kiwis, all in 2023.
Chad Bowes on fire for @CanterburyCrick at Hagley Oval! A 53 ball century against the Otago Volts in The Ford Trophy (Ross Taylor holds the competition record at 49 balls). LIVE stream + HIGHLIGHTS | https://t.co/XdSuQE7K4x #FordTrophy pic.twitter.com/B7isBP42dI
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 22, 2024
Bowes racked up his century in only 53 balls, making it one of the five quickest centuries (by balls) in the competition’s history. Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor holds the record with a 49-ball ton for Central Stags in 2021/22).
The South African-born Bowes started his career with the Proteas Under-19 team before moving to New Zealand in 2015. He captain South Africa in the 2012 Under-19 World Cup and finished among the leading run-getters of the edition.
Fastest Men’s List A 200s:
103 balls – Chad Bowes vs Otago, 2024
114 balls – Travis Head vs Queensland, 2021
114 balls – Narayan Jagadeesan vs Arunachal Pradesh, 2022