New Zealand's 21-year-old batting sensation smashes 139 off just 64 balls but falls 3 runs short of breaking ex-RCB player's record

New Zealand’s 21-year-old batting sensation Tim Robinson went on a rampage in Wellington Firebirds’ opening encounter of Super Smash 2023-24. Robinson smashed 10 fours and as many sixes in his spellbinding 64-ball 139 against Otago Volts. This was the second-highest individual score in the history of the tournament. He fell short of breaking Michael Bracwell's record. Bracewell scored 141 not out for Wellington against Central two editions ago.
 

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Wellington skipper Nick Kelly won the toss and opted to bat first in the home clash at Basin Reserve. Travis Muller dismissed Nick Greenwood for a golden duck off the third ball. The first over turned out to be the most economical one of the innings. In the next over, Robinson made his intentions clear with two consecutive boundaries. In the fifth over, he went after Otago skipper Dean Foxcroft smashing him two fours and two sixes. In the eighth over, he reached his half-century from 25 balls.

Robinson continued to attack as Wellington were heading towards a big score. In the 12th over, Wellington lost the wickets of Kelly and Muhammad Abbas. Kelly contributed with a 34-ball 48. Another wicket fell in the 16th over. Wickets falling at the other end did not disrupt Robinson’s scoring tempo as he got to his century from just 50 balls.
 

Wellington crossed the 200-run mark in the penultimate over. But it was in the final over he went berserk. Against Matthew Bacon, he smashed a four followed by four sixes. He had the chance to break Bracewell's record off the final ball but lost his wicket. His 139-run knock took Wellington to 234/5. On the other end, Nathan Smith contributed with a 9-ball 19 cameo.
 

Otago started well despite two early wickets as opener Jake Gibson took charge. They were in the contest till the halfway stage. Gibson's 31-ball 56 and cameos from Foxroft and Max Chu kept the required run rate in check. But the visitors suffered a batting collapse and were bowled out for 160 in the 17th over. Ian McPeake, and Peter Younghusband took three wickets each. Smith and Michael Snedden took two wickets each as well to help Wellington register a 74-run win.
 

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