Phil Hughes becomes first Australian batsman to score a double hundred in 50-over cricket

Phil Hughes

Australia A opener Phil Hughes blasted an unbeaten 202 against South Africa A in a Quadrangular A-team one-day series match on Tuesday. Hughes struck 18 fours and 6 sixes in his 151-ball innings that stunned the Protean side at the Marrar Oval, Darwin.

The 25-year-old steadied the innings along with Moises Henriques, stitching together a 220-run 4th wicket stand after South Africa A won the toss and opted to field first. The side lost three quick wickets: that of Cameron White (17), Callum Ferguson (0) and Tom Cooper (7) with just 46 on board in the 13th over of the innings. Hughes then took control of the proceedings as he pummeled the bowlers without any respect.

Hughes raised his hundred off 104 balls and reached his double ton with a last ball six. The left-hander scored 44 runs in the last 3 overs of the innings and 16 in the last over. Hardus Viljoen finished with 1/90 in his 10 overs.

His score bettered David Warner’s 197 against Victoria for New South Wales last season. However, women cricketer Belinda Clarke’s 229 against Denmark remains the highest for an Australian cricketer in the 50-over format. Clarke registered the score in the Women’s World Cup in 1997/98.

This was Hughes’ first match of this tournament after taking leave owing to a death in his family. Led by his charge, the side posted 349/4 in the allotted 50 overs.

In the second innings, the South Africans could manage only 201 and hence suffered a 148-run loss to Australia A.

Brief Scores:

Australia A 349/4 in 50 overs (Phil Hughes 202*, Moises Henriques 90, Mthokozisi Shezi 2/67)

South Africa A 201 in 37.4 overs (Farhaan Behardien 67, Rilee Rossouw 38, Kane Richardson 4/45)

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Amazing knock from Phil Hughes! He finishes with 202* off 151 balls #AusATour https://t.co/a73KT3ZJ9s

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 29, 2014