AB de Villiers set a new benchmark for the fastest ODI century in cricket history on Sunday, reaching the milestone in just 31 balls—five balls quicker than Corey Anderson’s previous record set the year before. In that same remarkable innings, De Villiers also claimed the record for the fastest fifty in ODI cricket, achieving it in a mere 16 balls. To top off his extraordinary performance, he matched the record for the most sixes in a single ODI innings.
His explosive display was so remarkable that it captured the attention of even those who are typically more focused on football.
AB de Villiers has scored 149 runs from 44 balls. That is as preposterous as his name. Remarkable performance!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 18, 2015
His innings of 149 off 44 balls helped South Africa post their highest ever ODI total, a sweltering 439-2. It was the second highest ever total in the one-day format and the highest against a Test playing nation. It also means that South Africa now features in three of the top five innings totals ever.
With the World Cup just around the corner, South Africa can thank their lucky stars they have a player like De Villiers on their side. He is, without a doubt, the most extraordinary batting talent of his generation.
De Villiers’ Revolutionary Impact on One-Day Cricket: A Modern-Day Masterclass
One-day cricket has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last decade, with five of the fastest ODI centuries being scored since 2010. In this era, being a bowler is a tough job, especially when facing a player like AB de Villiers. The Wanderers ground, known for witnessing remarkable feats, saw something truly revolutionary when de Villiers took the field on Sunday. Despite a weakened Windies’ bowling attack, his ability to dominate from the very first ball was unmatched. Walking in with South Africa at 247-1 with 11 overs remaining, de Villiers wasted no time, smashing a boundary off his first ball and setting the tone for the rest of his innings. His consistency and ability to score all around the wicket, regardless of the opposition or conditions, solidify his status as one of the world’s finest players.
With cricket evolving faster than you can say “powerplay,” players like De Villiers become ever more important to their teams’ prospects in competitions like the World Cup. While players like Amla can continue to play their natural, more traditional game, players like De Villiers can innovate and be the X-factor that can lead teams to glory.
It’s still far too early to judge South Africa’s chances at the World Cup. There are still three one-day games to come against the West Indies and nobody really knows what the conditions in Australia and New Zealand will be like. What is for certain, though, is that AB de Villiers will be the most important player in South Africa’s arsenal.
| Player | Match Details | Score | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Fours | Sixes | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB de Villiers | South Africa vs. West Indies | 149 | 44 | 338.63 | 9 | 16 | Wanderers, Johannesburg | 18 January 2015 |