Little-known batsman Craig Simmons scored the fastest century in Big Bash League history to lift the Perth Scorchers to 7-203 in their Twenty20 clash with the Adelaide Strikers at the WACA Ground on Thursday.
Simmons cracked eight fours and eight sixes on the way to his 39-ball ton, easily eclipsing the previous record of 44 balls set by Melbourne Stars blaster Luke Wright in 2012.
Wright’s other record – the highest score in BBL history of 117 – also looked under threat.
But Simmons was dismissed for 102 when he struck spinner Jon Holland to deep square leg.
The Perth Scorchers were perfectly placed at 2-142 in the 12th over.
But Simmons’ departure sparked a collapse of 5-30 as Shaun Tait finally found his range.
Tait bowled three wides and conceded 17 runs in a wayward first over.
But he returned later in the innings to snare three wickets, finishing with 3-41 from his four overs.
Simmons was only in the Scorchers squad after opener Liam Davis succumbed to a finger injury before the tournament started.
But the 31-year-old entered Thursday’s match under the pump after producing scores of 9. 8 and 0 in his previous three innings.
Simmons didn’t look all that convincing early, and he was lucky to survive on 11 when a running Jon Holland misjudged a skied strike and failed to get his hands on the ball.
Simmons made 14 runs off his first 10 balls.
But from there he exploded, hitting a series of boundaries to put the sell-out crowd into a frenzy.
Simmons paid tribute to coach Justin Langer.
“I wasn’t really sure if I was going to play this game. So credit to the Scorchers for sticking with me. JL has been very good for me,” Simmons said.
Langer said Simmons’ confidence in himself convinced him to keep selecting him.
“He kept telling me he just needed a few runs under his belt and then he would be right,” Langer said.
“It’s great to give a guy an opportunity.”