Stats: Fastest fifties in the Champions Trophy

All the eyes were on Luke Ronchi the moment he was included in the New Zealand XI against the Aussies in both the teams’ opener of the Champions Trophy 2017. Ronchi hadn’t scored a fifty in his the 36 ODI innings since his maiden ODI century of 170* vs Sri Lanka way back in January 2015 and averages 14.06 at the same time.

However, Ronchi proved one and all wrong with an excellent fifty in the big game by scoring a 43-ball 65 against his former team. He struck 9 fours and 3 sixes in his innings and brought up his fifty in just 33 balls. The rain break in the 10th over didn’t break his scoring momentum as he plundered 41 runs off 26 balls post the resumption after been unbeaten on 24 of 17 at rain break. His quick-fire innings came to an end when he hit straight to Glenn Maxwell at point off John Hastings’ bowling.

Ronchi completing his fifty in just 33 balls turned out to be joint 6th fastest fifty in the Champions Trophy history and the 2nd fastest by a New Zealand player. The fastest fifty in CT came off Shahid Afridi’s bat who hit an unbeaten 55 off just 18 balls against Netherlands in 2002. The fastest for New Zealand was by Craig McMillan who hit a fifty off just 21 balls against the United States of America in 2004.

Among the top 10 fastest fifties, only Damien Martyn ended up scoring less than a run-a-ball as he brought up his fifty in 35 balls and added 28 runs further in 56 balls.

(Table updated on 4th June 2017 after Yuvraj Singh scored a 29-ball fifty)

Fastest fifties in the Champions Trophy: 

(Stats as on June 4, 2017)