Fans watching domestic cricket in Sydney may have found themselves ducking for cover on Saturday as former Australia under-19 batter Harjas Singh struck a remarkable 308 not out from 135 balls in the grade competition.
The 20-year-old struck a scarcely-believable 34 sixes and 12 fours as his Western Suburbs side closed on 474-4 from 50 overs.
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His score is the third-highest in the history of the Sydney first grade, the level directly below professional state cricket, behind the legendary Victor Trumper’s 335 in 1903 and Phil Jaques’ 321 in 2007.
“That’s the cleanest ball-striking I’ve ever witnessed from myself, for sure,” Singh told Fox Cricket.
“It’s something I’m quite proud of because I’ve worked in the off-season quite a bit on my power hitting, and for it to come off today was quite special.”
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Singh reached his century from 74 balls in the 35th over, but was only just getting started, making 214 from his next 67 deliveries.
Unsurprisingly Sydney were unable to chase down their target, finishing on 287-8 as Western Suburbs won by 187 runs.
Singh won the Under-19 World Cup in February 2024, top-scoring with 55 as Australia beat India, but is yet to secure a rookie contract with state side New South Wales.
His World Cup-winning side is highly regarded, with Sam Kontas already making a rapid rise to the Australia Test side.
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Seamer Mahli Beardman was added to Australia’s ODI squad on their tour of England last year, while team-mates Oliver Peake, Harry Dixon and Tom Straker have all featured on Australia A’s recent tour of India, and another seamer, Callum Vidler, was ruled out of the trip through injury.
With others also establishing themselves in state cricket, Singh may soon be the latest of a golden generation to step up to the professional ranks of the game.
