Highlights: AB de Villiers fastest century of all time
AB de Villiers smashed the fastest century of all time in just 31 balls against West Indies on Janaury 18, 2015 at Johannesburg. He walked in to bat at no.3 for South Africa at the fall of Rilee Rossouw (128 in 115 balls), who put on a 247 run partnership with Hashim Amla (153* in 142 balls).
de Villiers reached the crease with just 69 balls remaining in the innings – the score read as 247-1 in 38.3 overs. He began his innings with a Four of the bowling Jerome Taylor (10-0-95-1). He then followed it up with 2 fours and 2 sixes in the next over bowled by Andre Russell (10-78-1) – taking the team total to 276-1 in 40 overs.
AB then went on to belt the fastest fifty in ODI cricket in 16 balls – breaking the record previously held by Sanath Jayasuriya (17 balls). He helped himself to half century with the help of 3 fours and 5 sixes.
de Villiers expanded his shot hitting to all round the park with ramps and reverse ramp shots powering himself to the century in the next 15 balls. He broke Corey Anderson’s record for the fastest ODI century (36 balls) by spanking 9 fours – 10 sixes to reach his landmark in just 31 deliveries.
South Africa reached the 400 mark in 47.2 overs with the help of Hashim Amla’s four off Jerome Taylor’s final over.
The proteas super star scored another 45 runs in the next 12 balls before falling prey to Andre Russell in the final over. AB has scored 149 runs in 44 balls with the help of 9 fours and 16 sixes – missing the record for the fastest ODI 150 by just 1 run. South Africa scored 439 runs in 50 overs at the loss of just 2 wickets.
AB was particularly severe on West Indies captain Jason Holder. Holder had match bowling figures of 7-0-44-0 before bowling to AB de Villiers. He ended with match figures of 9-0-91-1.
West Indies were never really in the chase after losing 2 wickets in the first 10 overs. Morne Morkel’s bowling figures of 10-0-43-2 kept Windies truly in check as they could only manage 291 runs in 50 overs.
Venue
The Wanderers Stadium South Africa
Toss
West Indies won the toss and elect to bowl
Match Summary
South Africa 439-2 in 50 overs: Hashim Amla 153*(142) – AB de Villiers 149 (44) – Rilee Rossouw 128 (115)
West Indies 291-7 in 50 overs: Dwayne Smith 64 (65) – Denesh Ramdin 57 (55) – Chris Gayle 19 (13)
Man of the Match
AB de Villiers
My dream team will feature Marcus Trescothick and Anil Kumble