Fastest List A double centuries, full list: New Zealand batter breaks world record

In match five of the 2024-25 Ford Trophy, New Zealand's domestic 50-over competition, Canterbury were put in to bat by Otago at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

They lost opener Henry Nicholls for a five-ball duck, caught off the bowling of Andrew Hazeldine in the second over. But his partner, Chad Bowes, took the bowling by the scruff of the neck and got Canterbury off to a flyer in the Powerplay.

At the end of 10 overs, Bowes had helped Canterbury to 92-1, and was unbeaten on 79 off 35 balls, having reached his half-century off just 26 deliveries. Canterbury's No.3, Rhys Mariu, was batting on eight off 21 balls at the time.

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Mariu, and then Mitchell Hay, departed in the 13th over but Bowes continued on his way, getting to his century off just 53 balls in the 17th over. He didn't slow down there, either. It took him only 24 more balls to get to 150, at which point the team's score was 197.

Off the final ball of the 34th over, Bowes knocked the ball into the off side for a single, reaching his double hundred off 103 balls, smashing the world record of 114, jointly-held by Travis Head and Narayan Jagadeesan.

He was dismissed soon after, though. In the 39th over, Bowes attempted a heave into the leg side off Matthew Bacon, only to miss and have the ball thud into his pads. He was given out lbw, and walked back for 205 off 110 balls.

Canterbury eventually finished on 343-9, before a team bowling effort helped them skittle Otago for 103, to win by 240 runs.

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Full list of fastest double centuries in men's List A cricket

The previous record for the fastest List A double century was held by Travis Head and Narayan Jagadeesan (114 balls each). Head also had the second (now third)-fastest List A double century, with a 117-ball effort for South Australia against Western Australia in 2015.

Of course, Bowes' effort is the fastest in the Ford Trophy as well, breaking Jamie How's 11-year-old record. How had made it to the mark in 126 balls for Central Districts against Northern Districts in 2013, on his way to 222 off 138 balls.

The fastest double century in men's international 50 overs cricket remains Ishan Kishan's 126-ball effort for India against Bangladesh in Chittagong in 2022.