Harjas Singh spent his Saturday making the sort of noise you usually only hear from the SCG’s eastern terrace. Batting for Western Suburbs at Pratten Park, the 20-year-old left-hander plundered 314 from 141 deliveries against Sydney Cricket Club – 35 of those balls disappearing over the ropes. The next best in the innings was 37.
Singh, part of Australia’s victorious Under-19 World Cup side last year and top-scorer in that final, now sits third on the all-time New South Wales Premier first-grade list. Only Victor Trumper (335 in 1903) and Phil Jaques (321 in 2007) are ahead of him, and neither of those knocks came in a 50-over match. As limited-overs efforts in Australian grade cricket go, this is out on its own.
Viewers could follow the single-camera YouTube stream – no commentary, just the steady thud of willow and the occasional car alarm from the street. When Singh launched left-arm spinner Tom Mullen for the six that took him to 300, even the sparse crowd sounded like a full pavilion.
“Definitely that’s the cleanest ball-striking I’ve ever witnessed from myself, for sure,” he told Fox Cricket afterwards. “It’s something I’m quite proud of because I’ve worked in the off-season quite a bit on my power-hitting, and for it to come off today was quite special.”
The innings unfolded in two clear phases. Century No.1 arrived in the 35th over from 74 balls; the next 214 runs took just 67. Bowlers tried yorkers, slower balls, wider lines – most ended up in a back garden or on Parramatta Road.
Singh’s talent has never been in doubt. He scored a hundred for Australia U-19s at Northampton in 2023, yet unlike several team-mates – Queensland’s Hugh Weibgen among them – he does not hold a rookie contract with his home state. That omission plainly stings, though he keeps the subject at arm’s length.
“I’ve missed out the last season or two, worrying about stuff outside my own game,” he admitted. “But I feel like I’ve brought myself to just worrying about what’s going on with my own game.”
Selectors tend to notice triple hundreds. Whether New South Wales can find room on their list remains to be seen, but Singh has made the conversation impossible to dodge. For now, he’ll turn up next weekend, same kit bag, hoping the form lingers long enough to push a door or two ajar.
