Laura Harris Blasts Record-Equalling Fifty in Just 15 Balls in Women’s T20

Australia’s explosive batter Laura Harris has made history in the women’s T20 format, equalling the world record for the fastest fifty. Playing for Otago in New Zealand’s Super Smash tournament, Harris smashed a breathtaking 52 runs off just 17 balls against Canterbury, guiding her team to a thrilling victory. This spectacular performance marks a stunning comeback after a recent lean patch in her career.

Historic Feat
Harris, 35, showcased her immense power and precision as she matched Mary Kelly’s record from 2022, where Kelly had scored a fifty off 15 balls for Warwickshire. Representing Otago for the first time, Harris’s whirlwind innings left Canterbury’s bowlers struggling to contain her.

Match-Turning Innings
Chasing a target of 146, Otago required a special innings, and Harris delivered just that. She hit 6 crisp boundaries and 4 towering sixes, maintaining an extraordinary strike rate that propelled her team to victory in just 14.5 overs with 6 wickets down. Though Gabby Sullivan eventually dismissed her, Harris had already ensured Otago’s triumph, earning her the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

A Remarkable Comeback
This record-equalling innings is particularly significant for Harris, who had a disappointing run in the Women’s Big Bash League earlier this season. Playing for Sydney Thunder, she managed only 69 runs in 10 matches at an average of 11.50. However, she responded emphatically in her first Super Smash appearance. Across her career in 133 BBL matches, Harris has amassed 1,344 runs at a striking rate of over 160, highlighting her explosive potential.

T20 International Records
While this milestone came in a domestic T20, the fastest fifty in Women’s T20 Internationals (T20I) is held by New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, who scored 50 off 18 balls against India in 2015. Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield and India’s Richa Ghosh share this record, having also scored fifty in 18 balls. Harris’s performance now raises expectations for future T20I records to be challenged.