Bevon Jacobs slams second-most sixes in a List A innings

The 24-year-old New Zealand batter was at his absolute best on Thursday as he lit up the Eden Park Outer Oval for Auckland with a stunning display of hitting. Jacobs smashed 21 sixes in the innings, falling just two short of the world record (23 by D’Arcy Short) in List A cricket.

Jacobs came in to bat in a critical situation, with Auckland three down for 39 in the 12th over. He first steadied the innings with a 100-run stand for the fourth wicket with Lachlan Stackpole (46), and 94 runs for the fifth wicket with Ryan Harrison (32).

Jacobs registered his maiden List A century in the process, reaching the mark in 97 balls, after which he stepped the foot on the accelerator, taking only 40 deliveries to score the next century. He smashed five sixes in the final over against Zac Cumming to reach the milestone and finish with 202* off 137, laced with seven fours and 21 sixes.

Jacobs surpassed Gerrie Snyman and Eoin Morgan, both of whom have struck 17 sixes in a List A innings. This was the third double century in the Ford Trophy competition, after Jamie How (222) and Chad Bowes (205), and the fifth highest score by a New Zealand batter, with Martin Guptill (237*) and Amelia Kerr (232*) holding the top-two spots.

Jacobs’ knock lifted Auckland to 334-8 in 50 overs, with the next highest score being 46, which encapsulates how stunning this knock was. However, it wasn't enough for a victory as Otago chased down the target with five balls to spare.

Jacobs, a highly rated batter from New Zealand, has played 16 T20Is and averages 31.90 at a strike rate of 144.34 with two fifties. He hasn't made his ODI debut yet, but it might not be too far after this innings.

Image: Instagram/PhotoSportNZ

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