16x6, 9x4 power AB’s record fastest ODI century

AB de Villiers took 31 balls to
smash the fastest century in
One-day Internationals as
South Africa posted 439 for
two wickets, their highest
team total in this format, in
the second ODI against West
Indies at the Wanderers.
Described by retired Australian
stumper Adam
Gilchrist as the “most valuable
cricketer on the planet”
earlier this week, de Villiers
blasted 16 sixes and nine
fours in his blistering 44-ball
knock of 149, bettering New
Zealander Corey Anderson’s
36-ball century against West
Indies last year. The 30-yearold
right-hander went down
on his knees and slog-swept
Jason Holder over deep midwicket
for his 10th six to
bring up his century before
raising his bat and taking off
his helmet with a broad smile
on his face. Coming out to bat
after a 247-run opening stand
between Hashim Amla (153
not out) and Rilee Rossouw
(128), de Villiers set a new
record for the fastest halfcentury
as well.
He reached the milestone
in 16 balls, improving the previous
best mark of Sanath
Jayasuriya against Pakistanin 1996 by a delivery. Known
for his improvisation, the
Proteas ODI captain manufactured
big shots and
cleared the boundary at will,
equalling the world record for
16 sixes in an ODI innings.
He was eventually out in the
final over of the innings, one
run away from shattering the
record for fastest 150.
Brief scores: SA: 439/2
(Amla 153*, de Villiers 149,
Rossouw 128) bt WI: 291/7
(Smith 64, Ramdin 57) by
148 runs.