Aaron Jones made an unbeaten 94 from 40 balls in an extraordinary display of power-hitting to lead the U.S. team to a seven wicket win over historic rival Canada on Saturday in the opening match of the Twenty20 World Cup.
Aaron Jones (R) hits the ball for six runs during the men's T20 World Cup cricket match between USA and Canada in Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S., June 1, 2024. /AP
Co-host the United States seemed under pressure when Canada made 194-5 batting first and when it lost a wicket to the second ball of its innings. The total demanded the United States achieve its highest-ever run chase in a T20 international to win the match, eclipsing its previous best of 169.
In the end it reached its target with ease. There were 14 balls remaining when Jones clinched the win for the U.S. with his 10th six.
The Americans looked to be in a desperate position when its captain Monank Patel was out at 66-2 in the 7th over. At one point in its innings, the United States needed more than 12 runs an over to surpass Canada's total.
But Jones, who had been out of form in recent matches and came into the match with a strike rate of 100, hit the fastest T20 half-century for the U.S. from 22 balls with six sixes and at a strike rate of 227. He finished with a career-best score and a strike rate of 235.