Fastest 50 by Australia in ODI

Australia are one of the top sides in the history of cricket. If we look at their overall records across the format, the Men in Yellow are the best team in the world. That is why they are so successful in all three formats. They recently won their maiden T20I world title in the UAE last year. But in ODI cricket, they are arguably the most successful team.

Australia have won the ODI World Cup five times, which is the most by any team in the game. They won it in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2015. On the other hand, they have also finished as runners-up two times, in 1975 and 1996. So, with such an incredible history, they hold many records in this game. But in this article, we will discuss the fastest fifty by an Australian in ODI cricket.

3. Aaron Finch (18-ball) against Sri Lanka at Dambulla

Aaron Finch holds the record for the third fastest half-century by an Australian in ODIs. He hit it in a match against Sri Lanka on August 31, 2016 at Dambulla. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bat first. But they had a poor performance with the bat. John Hastings picked up six wickets in the match. As a result, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 212 runs in 50 overs. Dhananjaya de Silva was the top scorer, who scored 76 runs.

It was a small target against the strong Australian batting and that’s what they did. Aaron Finch came out to open the inigns and just took the game away. He smashed an 18-ball half-century and scored 55 runs off just 19 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, to give his team a rocking start. In the end, George Bailey was not out on 90* to seal the deal. Australia scored 217/4 in just 31 overs and won the match by six wickets and 114 balls to spare.

2. Glenn Maxwell (18-ball) against India at Bengaluru

Glenn Maxwell is always known for his aggressive approach and unorthodox shots. He made an 18-ball fifty against India. It was the last match of the seven-match ODI series at Bengaluru. Batting first, India made a massive first innings score of 383/6. Rohit Sharma scored a double hundred in that match. While Shikhar Dhawan (60) and MS Dhoni (62) scored their respective half-centuries. Rohit played a marathon innings of 209 off 158 balls, including 12 fours and 16 sixes.

In reply, Australia had a bad start, losing their first four wickets for just 74 runs. But after that, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner came to Australia’s rescue. Maxwell hit an 18-ball fifty and scored 60 off 22 balls, including three fours and seven sixes. Faulkner scored 116 off 73 balls. But in the end, Australia got all out for 326 runs in 45.1 overs and lost the match by 57 runs.

1. Simon O’Donnell (18-ball) against Sri Lanka (Third joint-fastest overall in ODI)

Australia has registered three 18-ball fifties in ODI cricket. But the very first 18-ball half-century came in 1990 by Simon O’Donnell against Sri Lanka. It was the second semi-final of the Austral-Asia Cup in 1990 at Sharjah. The Men in Yellow won the toss and batted first. They had a really good start, and all the batters who got the opportunity came and played well. As a result, Australia made 323/3 in their 50 overs.

Dean Jones was not out on 117, and Geoff Marsh scored 68 runs. But the inning of the match was played by Simon O’Donnell, who hit an 18-ball fifty and scored 74 runs off just 29 balls, including four boundaries and six maximums. In reply, Sri Lanka had a few good contributions. But that was not enough for them, as they got all out for 218 runs and lost the match by 114 runs.

List of Fastest 50 by Australia in ODI

Fastest 50 in ODI Team Wise