Watch: Former Kolkata Knight Riders Pacer Merchant de Lange Smashes 62-ball Ton Against Northamptonshire

Former Kolkata Knight Riders and South Africa pacer Marchant de Lange, on Monday, scored the fastest first-class century for Glamorgan as he put his side in a commanding position against Northamptonshire. He smashed his century off just 62 balls.

Glamorgan were reeling at 60 for 8 when Merchant de Lange walked in to bat. But when their innings came to an end, they had managed to put up 261 runs on the board thanks to their number ten’s stunning ton. His century was studded with six fours and nine sixes as he kept his side in the game. He eventually scored 113 off 78 balls.

The South African fast bowler, who averaged 15 with the bat in first-class cricket before this game, shared a record ninth-wicket partnership of 168 from 118 balls with No.7 Dan Douthwaite, who scored 86 from 92 balls.

After his partnership with Douthwaite ended, Merchant de Lange added another 33 with Australian No.11 Michael Hogan (21 not out) before he was the last man out. After being set a target of 189, Northamptonshire ended day three on 62-1.

Here is a highlight of Merchant de Lange’s impressive century:

Marchant de Lange today smashed a 62-ball century for Glamorgan against Northants after coming in at 60/8 ?

(?: @GlamCricket) pic.twitter.com/gCn6vYoLdq

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 24, 2020

“It’s incredible from a personal point of view,” Merchant de Lange said after his knock.

“It’s amazing to be in the record books. I just wanted to contribute to the team – I just tried to play ball by ball. Myself and Dan wanted a partnership, and we knew if we just got a bit of bat on that shorter side of the ground, it would go the distance. There’s no secret to my batting: I try to see ball, hit ball, and keep it simple,” he added.

Merchant de Lange, meanwhile, played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He played for the Knight Riders in 2012 before plying his trade for Mumbai a couple of years later. In 2017, he ended his association with South Africa’s national team to sign a Kolpak deal with Glamorgan.

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