‘When my team is under pressure, it gets the best out of me’ - USA's Aaron Jones after match-winning knock against Canada

Hosts United States of America (USA) registered a thumping seven-wicket win over Canada in their first-ever T20 World Cup match. Batting first, Canada had the upper hand as opener Navneet Dhaliwal made 61 off 44, while Nicholas Kirton hit 51 off 31. Towards the fag end, keeper Shreyas Movva played a blistering cameo of 32 off 16 as Canada posted 194.

In the second innings, Aaron Jones stole the show. USA were under some pressure early on as the hosts were 42/2 at one stage but the game completely changed with Jones’ coming in. Batting at number four, the 29-year-old smashed an unbeaten 94 off just 40 to get the job done. Andries Gous supported him well in the middle as he made 65 off 46 and the duo stitched a partnership of 131 runs, which helped them chase 194 runs in just 17.4 overs.

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Speaking about his brilliant knock, Jones revealed that pressure brings out the best in him. The Barbados-born cricketer added that he felt anything under 200 is chaseable and was happy to get over the line much before that. He was also happy with his aggressive approach in the match.

“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,” Jones said in the post-match presentation.

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Jones also broke a few records against Canada. He now holds the record for the highest individual score in a successful run chase by a non-opener in T20 World Cup history. Jones is also the only non-opener to hit 10 sixes in a T20 World Cup match in history.