Australian blind cricketer Steffan Nero enters record books with monster triple-century

The 24-year-old scored 309 not out off 140 balls against New Zealand at the International Cricket Inclusion Series

Steffan Nero, the opening batter for Australia’s blind cricket team, has smashed his way into the record books after scoring a monster triple-century during the International Cricket Inclusion Series.

Playing against New Zealand in a 40-over match in Brisbane, the 24-year-old scored 309 not out off 140 balls, including 49 fours and one six, to cruise past the previous record of 262 not out, set by Pakistan’s Masood Jan at the inaugural Blind Cricket World Cup in 1998.

Nero is also just the eighth Australian cricketer to score a triple-century across all cricket formats.

The wicketkeeper-batter now has 523 runs to his name in the tournament after posting knocks of 113 not out (46 balls) and 101 not out (47 balls) in his previous two matches and has a strike rate of 224.5.

^{Steffan Nero in action during the International Cricket Inclusion Series [Albert Perez/Getty Images]}

Speaking after the match, he said: "It’s a dream in itself to play for Australia so to make a century for Australia is one of those lifelong memories you will never forget."

Addressing his six, the first of the tournament, he continued: "There are times in an over where I'm just like, OK, I'm going to take this guy to town, hit him out of the park.

"So, I think the ball just went into the right spot. It's one of my strengths, the reverse sweep. I play it all the time."

As part of the series, Australia and New Zealand are playing five T20Is and three ODIs, the latter made up of 40 overs per side rather than 50. Australia lead the series 6-0 with the remaining two ODIs scheduled for June 15 and June 17. 

Catch all the highlights from Steffan Nero's incredible record breaking TRIPLE century at the Commonwealth Bank International Cricket Inclusion Series!

The Australian Blind Cricket Team batter is averaging 523 with the bat for the series 🇦🇺 #ICIS22 #ASportForAll pic.twitter.com/BqKm1F62Ev

— MyCricket (@MyCricketAus) June 14, 2022

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