Historic performance: When AB went for the record

Let’s reminisce about how the South African star showcased the fastest ODI hundred of all time.

The rate of runs scored in ODI cricket during the 2010s only slightly increased compared to the previous decade, but the “Wanderers” stadium was an exception. The pitch was a run-generating source, continuously rewarding the players.

The legendary match of 2015

In January 2015, when the West Indies team decided to chase in the second ODI of a five-match series, trailing 0-1, South Africa began their innings in such a way that the outcome was obvious.

Before we continue reminiscing about this legendary match, note that Mostbet BD accepts bets on all current cricket events.

Hashim Amla, who was then ranked second in the ICC ODI batsmen’s rankings, and Rilee Rossouw, playing his 11th ODI with five ducks in his last ten games, forged an opening stand of 247 runs – the second-largest in South African history. When Rossouw hit Jerome Taylor’s ball to mid-on around the 39th over, South Africa’s coach, Russell Domingo, convinced AB de Villiers to elevate himself to number three.

“Even though he was at the peak of his form at that time, he was very reluctant to bat that day. He felt that David Miller would be the better option against Sulieman Benn’s last over. He had to be convinced to come out to bat,” said Domingo. “He said he just wasn’t feeling it, and he always trusted his gut feelings.”

De Villiers had a profound impact on the game, setting several records

If de Villiers wasn’t in the mood, it changed quickly. The first ball he faced (a slower one from Jerome Taylor) sailed past mid-on for four. “The moment he made that shot, he immediately started to feel the game,” said Domingo.

As it turned out, Benn wasn’t called upon to bowl again, and de Villiers took on the quick bowlers, displaying some of the most inventive movements on the cricket field and showcasing amazing batting prowess. In the next over, he scored 21 runs off Andre Russell, moving to the leg side to loft him over mid-off, then stepping out to the off to pull him over square leg, then creating room to drive on the off side and dropping to one knee for a scoop. South Africa began the last ten overs at 276 for 1, eyeing beyond 350.

De Villiers had other plans in mind. He shifted across the stumps to dispatch Jason Holder’s ball over the short leg-side boundary and into the east stand for six in an over that cost 24. He reached his fifty in just 16 balls – a record that still stands for the fastest fifty in this format. He then hit Taylor close to his body such that the top edge flew for six, and a full toss low down was smacked back for four. Although most of his shots were placement-oriented, his hundred came with a wide slog that cleared the ropes off the 31st ball. This was the fastest ODI hundred, surpassing Corey Anderson’s record and setting the record for the best strike rate in an ODI inning: 338.63.

De Villiers ended that over with two sixes, setting the record for the maximum number of sixes by a South African player in an ODI. He later hit five more, tying the world record, which was surpassed by Eoin Morgan in the 2019 World Cup. de Villiers also struck nine fours, meaning 132 of his runs came off boundaries. He ran five twos and seven singles, amassing a total of 149.

In that inning, Amla crossed 150, but faced only 30 balls after de Villiers’s arrival (scoring 33 runs off them), thus he was overshadowed. But both he and Rossouw also made history that day – it remains the only instance of three centuries from the top three in an ODI.

South Africa couldn’t capitalize on their success in the upcoming World Cup

This occurred less than a month before the World Cup began, boosting South Africa’s confidence as they entered the tournament believing victory was in their grasp. They even crossed the 400 mark against the West Indies in the group stage, and de Villiers once again stunned everyone, scoring 162. However, this still didn’t help them break their jinx in major tournaments.

South Africa has reasons to cherish that “AB ODI”. It brought them their highest ODI score and the second highest in the format’s history at that time, on a festive day when they donned pink to raise breast cancer awareness.

“It’s been almost nine years since, and there have been brilliant innings, fantastic matches, and smaller playing fields, yet no one has been able to beat that record,” said Domingo. “And I think it’s going to be a tough record for anyone else to surpass.”