T20 cricket is a game of risk, and for every risk, there are high rewards as well. Often, a batsman tends to play shots from the very first ball to score as many runs as possible. Sometimes they succeed, while sometimes they fail. But when they get success, those innings always become game-changing.
And here, in this article, we will discuss the fastest half-centuries in T20 internationals. Australia were the winners of the T20 World Cup 2022 in UAE, and there are some very big hitters that this team has. That is why they are considered the top teams in this format, irrespective of the pitch or conditions. So we will cover the fastest fifty by an Australian in T20Is.
5. David Warner (19 balls) vs South Africa in 2009
David Warner is a world-renowned aggressive opener in the game. And that is how he announced himself in this format. The southpaw holds the record for the joint-third-fastest half-century by an Australian in T20 internationals. It came in the debut game for Warner in 2009 against South Africa at the MCG. Batting first, Australia made 182/9 in their first innings courtesy of an incredible knock by debutant Warner. He made a 19-ball fifty and made 89 off 43 balls, with seven fours and six maximums. In response, South Africa got out for 130 runs and lost the game by 52 runs.
4. Glenn Maxwell (18 balls) vs Sri Lanka in 2016
There are three Australian batters who have hit the joint-second-fastest half-century for their country. Next on the list is star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who hit an 18-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in 2016. It was the second T20I of the series. Batting first, Sri Lanka only scored 128/9 in their 20 overs. Chasing the target, Maxwell, who came to open the innings, smashed the joint-second-fastest fifty and made 66 off 29 balls. Australia chased down the target in 17.5 overs and made 130/6.
3. Glenn Maxwell (18 balls) vs Pakistan in 2014
Two of three 18-ball half-centuries are registered under the name of Glenn Maxwell. His first 18-ball fifty came against Pakistan in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Mirpur. It was the 16th game of the tournament and Pakistan made a big total of 191/5 in their first innings. Umar Akmal scored 94 runs off 54 balls. Chasing the target, Australia lost two wickets in the first over for 8 runs. But after that, Aaron Finch (65 off 54) and Maxwell scored fifty each. Maxwell scored an 18-ball fifty and made 74 off 33 balls, with seven fours and six sixes. But Australia fell short by 16 runs and got all out for 170 runs.
2. David Warner (18 balls) vs West Indies in 2010
It was David Warner who smashed the first 18-ball half-century. It came against the West Indies in 2010 at Sydney Cricket Ground. Batting first, West Indies made 138/7 in their 20 overs. In reply, Australia had a brilliant start with both openers scoring quick half-centuries. Warner hit an 18-ball fifty and made 67 off 29 balls, with five fours and seven sixes. Shane Watson scored a 26-ball fifty and made an unbeaten 62* off 33. Australia made 142/2 in 11.4 overs and won the game by 8 wickets with 50 balls to spare.
1. Marcus Stoinis (17 balls) vs Sri Lanka in 2022
The fastest half-century by an Australian is registered under the name of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. It came recently against Sri Lanka at Perth Stadium in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Batting first, Sri Lanka made 157/6 in their first innings. With a target of 158 runs to chase, Australia had a slow start and were 89/3 in 12.2 overs. Then came Stoinis to the crease, and he single-handedly chased it down with a 17-ball fifty. He made an unbeaten 59* off 18 balls with four boundaries and six maximums, and Australia made 158/3 in 16.3 overs.
List of Fastest 50 in T20 by Australia
| Player | Balls | Score | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Stoinis | 17 | 59* (18) | Sri Lanka | Perth | 25/10/2022 |
| David Warner | 18 | 67 (29) | West Indies | Sydney | 23/02/2010 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 18 | 74 (33) | Pakistan | Mirpur | 23/03/2014 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 18 | 66 (29) | Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 09/09/2016 |
| David Warner | 19 | 89 (43) | South Africa | Melbourne | 11/01/2009 |
| Cameron Green | 19 | 52 (21) | India | Hyderabad | 25/09/2022 |
| Shane Watson | 20 | 57 (24) | Sri Lanka | Pallekele | 08/08/2011 |
| David Warner | 20 | 59 (24) | New Zealand | Auckland | 16/02/2018 |
| Cameron White | 21 | 64* (26) | New Zealand | Christchurch | 28/02/2010 |
| Michael Hussey | 22 | 60* (24) | Pakistan | Gros Islet | 14/05/2010 |
| Mitchell Marsh | 22 | South Africa | Durban | 30/08/2023 |