Weeraratne smashes fastest one-day fifty

Kaushalya Weeraratne: remarkable onslaught © Getty Images

Former Sri Lankan allrounder Kaushalya Weeraratne has smashed the fastest fifty in limited-overs history, taking just 12 balls to reach the milestone, three balls fewer than the previous record held by Adam Hollioake.

Weeraratne, who finished with 66 off 18 balls, hammered seven sixes and two fours on his way to fifty, including five straight sixes off 40-year-old slow left-armer Ajith Ekanayake in an over which went for 34. He told reporters: "I am hoping to play this way for the rest of the season for my new club and perform well to remind the selectors that I am around."

Weeraratne was playing for Ragama against Kurunegala Youth at the Thurstan College Ground in Colombo. Weeraratne's efforts were, however, wasted as the match was rained off.