Chasing a challenging target of 195 set by Canada, the USA faced early setbacks, losing opener Steven Taylor in the first over and finding themselves at 42/2 in the seventh over.
As it happened: USA vs Canada
However, the arrival of Aaron Jones turned the game around. Jones scored a spectacular unbeaten 94 off just 40 balls, hitting 10 sixes and forming a crucial 131-run partnership for the third wicket with Andries Gous. Gous contributed significantly with his 65 off 46 balls, including three sixes and seven fours.
By the time the partnership was broken in the 16th over, the USA needed just 22 runs from 26 deliveries. Jones ensured a swift finish, hitting a four and two sixes off Nikhil Dutta in the 18th over, allowing the USA to complete the chase with 14 balls to spare. This became the highest successful chase for the USA in T20Is.
Jones, awarded the ‘Player of the Match,’ expressed his delight, stating, “I don’t think it is easy to put it into words. Happy to get my team over the line. I thought anything under 200 is chaseable. We wanted to play aggressive cricket. I think I go through my process while I practice. To be honest, when my team is under pressure it gets the best out of me.”
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwinalthough not part of the Indian squad for this tournament, praised the USA and Jones on social media platform X. Ashwin posted, “Aaron Jones plays for the Seattle Orcas and is putting on a show tonight to light up the World Cup opener. USA are showing us why they managed to topple Bangladesh in the lead up to this World T20.”
Who is Aaron Jones?
Aaron Jones, the 29-year-old right-handed batter, is a key player for the USA cricket team. Born in Queens, New York, Jones has a rich cricketing background that includes representing Barbados in first-class cricket before making his debut for the USA in 2019.
Career Highlights:
- Domestic Career: Before his international career with the USA, Jones played for Barbados, showcasing his talents in first-class cricket.
- USA T20I Career: Since making his debut in 2019, Jones has played 27 T20Is for the USA, accumulating 478 runs at an average of 28.11 and a strike rate of 116.87. His T20I career includes two fifties, with his highest individual score being an unbeaten 94 off 40 balls against Canada in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup opener.
- USA ODI Career: In the 43 ODIs he has played for the USA, Jones has scored 1454 runs at an impressive average of 36.35. His ODI performances include one century and ten fifties, highlighting his consistency and ability to perform under pressure.
Jones’s explosive innings in the T20 World Cup opener against Canada, where he scored an unbeaten 94 and led the USA to a seven-wicket victory, underscores his importance to the team.
