CAPE TOWN - Border batsman Marco Marais made headlines this past weekend when he smashed the fastest triple century in the history of first class cricket.
The 24-year-old made 300 not out off 191 balls in a three-day match against Eastern Province in East London. Marais’ heroics saw him beat a long-standing record which stood for 96 years.
The record was held by Australia’s Charles Macartney, who took 221 balls to reach his 300 for Australia against Nottinghamshire in 1921.
According to the DispatchLIVE website, Marais brought up his century off 68 balls, before going on to break the South African record for the fastest double century, reaching his 200 off 139 balls.
He hit 35 fours and 13 sixes as Border amassed 512/4 in 80 overs. Eastern Province were bowled out for 212 in their first innings, while Border were 66/2 in their second innings when the game ended in a draw.
According to Netwerk24, Marais is a farmer from Stutterheim who travels 95km to East London four times per week to practice. Marais has played 34 first-class games, scoring 1 773 runs at an average of 37.
In List A one-day games he has scored 852 runs at 42.60, while in T20 games he boasts 396 runs at 26.40. Marais is yet to receive a call-up to the Warriors franchise.
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Fastest recorded triple centuries in first-class cricket (via Cricket.com.au):
Marco Marais, 191 balls -
Border v Eastern Province, 2017
Charles Macartney, 221 balls - Australians against Nottinghamshire, 1921
Frank Wooley, 230 balls - MCC v Tasmania, 1912
Ken Rutherford, 234 balls - New Zealanders v DB Close’s XI, 1986
Viv Richards, 244 balls - Somerset v Warwickshire, 1985
Kusal Perera, 244 balls - Colts v Saracens, 2012-13
Kithuruwan Vithanage, 245 balls - Tamil UC & AC v SL Air Force SC, 2014-15
Graeme Smith, 249 balls - Somerset v Leicestershire, 2005