Mitchell Owen, a 23-year-old Australian cricketer, has emerged as a household name following his sensational performance in the Big Bash League (BBL) final on January 27, 2025.
Playing for the Hobart Hurricanes, Owen made history by scoring a blistering century off just 39 balls, equaling the record for the fastest hundred in BBL history.
This remarkable feat played a key role in leading the Hurricanes to their maiden BBL title, defeating the Sydney Thunder by seven wickets.
Early Life and Career
Born on September 16, 2001, in Kingston, Tasmania, Mitchell Owen began his cricketing journey in local clubs before rising through Tasmania’s ranks.
He made his BBL debut for the Hobart Hurricanes during the 2020-21 season but had limited opportunities in his first two seasons, accumulating only 42 runs across six matches. However, this season marked a turning point in his career.
Record-Breaking Performance
In the BBL final held at Bellerive Oval (Ninja Stadium) in Hobart, Owen’s explosive batting was on full display.
After winning the toss and opting to field first, the Hurricanes faced a challenging target of 183 runs set by the Thunder.
The Thunder’s innings featured notable contributions from Jason Sangha (67 runs) and David Warner (48 runs), who helped their team reach 182 runs.
During the run chase, Owen took charge from the outset. He partnered with Caleb Jewell to establish a solid foundation, with the pair putting on a 109-run opening stand.
Owen’s aggressive style saw him reach his fifty in just 16 balls, setting a new record for the fastest fifty in a BBL final. He continued his onslaught, smashing 11 sixes and 6 fours before being dismissed for 108 runs off 42 balls.
Owen’s innings not only equaled Craig Simmons’ record for the fastest century in BBL history but also showcased his ability to perform under pressure.
His explosive knock allowed Hobart to chase down the target comfortably with 30 balls to spare, finishing at 185 for 3 in just 14.1 overs.
Season Highlights
Owen concluded the BBL 2024-25 season as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 452 runs across 11 matches, averaging 45.20 and boasting an impressive strike rate of 203.60.
His performance included two centuries and several match-winning innings that established him as one of the league’s most exciting talents.
