Aaron Jones unbeaten 94 off just 40 balls powered the USA to a remarkable seven-wicket victory over Canada in their T20 World Cup debut at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Sunday.
The match marked the opening of the 2024 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies. Initially, the United States appeared to be in a tight spot as Canada posted a challenging total of 194-5 and then took an early wicket on the second ball of the American innings.
However, Aaron Jones explosive performance turned the game around, leading the USA to a historic win.
The USA needed to achieve their highest-ever run chase in a T20 international to win the match, surpassing their previous best of 169. Remarkably, they reached the target with ease, securing victory with 14 balls to spare as Aaron Jones sealed the win with his 10th six.
Aaron Jones’ blistering knock of 94* from only 40 balls bags him the @Aramco POTM award 🌟#USAvCAN | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/gLLhoZltZv
— ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2024
The situation looked grim for Team USA when captain Monank Patel was dismissed, leaving them at 66-2 in the 7th over. At one point, they needed more than 12 runs per over to outscore Canada’s total.
Despite coming into the match out of form and with a strike rate of 100, Aaron Jones delivered an extraordinary performance. He smashed the fastest T20 half-century for the USA, reaching the milestone in just 22 balls with six sixes and maintaining an impressive strike rate of 227.
The world will now know the name Aaron Jones but this has been 5 years in the making.
There isn’t a month, day, hour or minute that this man doesn’t put his heart and soul into this sport.
No one deserves this more ❤️🙌#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/NpMoPaZl4z
— Nikhil Uttamchandani (@NikUttam) June 2, 2024
This phenomenal innings turned the tide, leading the USA to a stunning victory.
Two of Aaron Jones massive hits traveled over 100 meters (328 feet), and would have cleared the fences during the stadium’s baseball days.
Aaron Jones brilliant innings shifted momentum back to the USA
Aaron Jones brilliant innings shifted the momentum back to the USA, putting Canada under significant pressure. This pressure was evident when Jeremy Gordon bowled the 14th over, filled with wides and no balls, extending to 11 deliveries and conceding 33 runs.
Jones and Andres Gous formed a crucial 131-run partnership for the third wicket. Gous, who hails from South Africa, scored an impressive 65 off 46 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes.
Although Gous was dismissed just before the match concluded, the crowd’s chants of “USA, USA” echoed throughout the stadium, celebrating the historic victory.
