Days after becoming the youngest men’s player to register a T20I century, French opening batter Gustav McKeon has become the only player to score back-to-back hundreds in T20I cricket as he smashed 101 off 53 against Norway on July 27.
Playing only his third T20I, the 18-year-old blasted five fours and eight sixes in his blistering knock of 101 off 53 in a Group B fixture of the 2024 T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier. He brought up the historic milestone with a six over mid-wicket. This knock came on the back of his 61-ball 109 against Switzerland on July 25.
McKeon also broke the record for most runs in the first three innings in T20I career, having made 286 runs across three innings with the scores of 76, 109 and 101. He’s also the leading run-getter in the tournament, averaging 95.33 at a strike rate of 170.23.
The opening batter was a one-man show for France against Norway, with the next highest score of the innings being just 15 by Lingeswaran Canessane. McKeon then produced 3 for 27 with the ball in his four overs as they successfully defended 158, winning by 11 runs.
With the help of McKeon’s all-round display, France occupy the second place in the Group 2 table with four points. They are level on points with the table-toppers Norway but have an inferior net run-rate. France’s next clash is against Estonia, who haven’t won a game in the tournament so far, on July 30.
The winner of the Sub-Regional competition will join Denmark, Jersey, Italy and Germany in the Europe Qualifier next year.
The European sides – Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands – will also join the Europe Qualifier if they fail to secure 2024 qualification through the 2022 tournament.
