Aaron Jones, the USA cricketer, scripted history during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas on Saturday (June 1). The right-handed batter smashed 10 sixes in his match-winning innings as USA beat Canada by 7 wickets and 14 balls remaining. Canada had set the hosts a target of 195 to win, which appeared stern at the halfway stage but thanks to Jones' record-breaking effort, USA reched their target with ease.
Jones remained not out on 94 off 40, an innings studded with 4 fours and 10 sixes. With this he became only the second cricketer in the world to hit 10 sxies in a T20 World Cup match. The first was none other than the self-proclaimed Chris Gayle. Jones also became the first from an associate nation to achieve the record as USA tasted their first two points.
READ HERE | Pitch Invader Hugs Rohit Sharma During India Vs Bangladesh T20 World Cup 2024 Warm-Up Game — WATCH
While Jones matched Gayle's record in the opening clash of T20 World Cup 2024, the southpaw had achieved the feat in the first-ever match in T20 World Cups-in the West Indies vs South Africa clash in Johannesburg. Gayle had scored 117 from 55 balls in that clash, smashing 10 maximums during the course of his innings.
USA vs CAN, HIGHLIGHTS: Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton's Half-Centuries In Vain
It was a sprited effort from Canada too in match number 1 of T20 World Cup 2024, especially with the bat. Navneet Dhaliwal and Nicholas Kirton scored splendid half-centuries with Dhaliwal emerging as the top-scorer (61 off 44). Kirton too scored 51 off 31, along with a handy contribution of 32 off 16 from Shreyas Moova.
ALSO READ | India, Pakistan Can Face Each Other Twice In T20 World Cup 2024. Here's How
However, the effort of Jones, along with that of Andries Gous (65 off 46), meant that Canada had to settle for a defeat. For USA, Corey Anderson and Harmeet Singh were the pick of the bowlers while for Canada, it was Kaleem Sana, Dillon Heyliger and Nikhil Dutta who were amongst the wickets.