AB de Villiers in action against West Indies. He scored 162* off 66 - his highest ODI score. In the process, he also scores second fastest World Cup ton (off 52 balls) and quickest 150 in ODI history (off 64 balls).
© AFP
Reeling from a rather embarrassing batting implosion against India in their previous match, South Africa hit back hard against West Indies. Batting first at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday, captain AB de Villiers led the onslaught and helped himself to a 52-ball century - the second quickest ever in cricket World Cups. (Complete World Cup Coverage )
De Villiers' 66-ball 162 saw the Proteas score 408/5 - highest ODI score ever in Australia and the second highest ever in a cricket World Cup match.
Coming in to bat at No. 5, de Villiers had a confident air around him under a bright sunny sky. It had a direct impact on the innings too as the Proteas rushed forward courtesy confident shots to and over the fence.
It was a good display of attack minus the recklessness as� de Villiers took on the likes of Jason Holder, Jerome Taylor and Andre Russeell. Even spinners Suleiman Benn and Chris Gayle had to share some of the misery as a rather dry pitch made for a good batting track. (Gayle Slams Fastest Double Hundred in ODIs )
Even on conducive tracks though, a batsman needs to pool in his resources together for a respectable knock. De Villiers - the world's best ODI batsman -- did just that. His fourth-wicket partnership with Rilee Rossouw was worth 134 while the sixth-wicket stand with Farhaan Behardien was a rollicking 80 off 20 balls. �
Facing a team which has Gayle would have further played on de Villiers' mind. Gayle had smashed the fastest double century (215) in the previous match against Zimbabwe. De Villiers' knock though ensured that even if the famed South African bowling line-up was attacked by the towering Jamaican, the side would still perhaps have enough on the board to ensure the much-needed full points.
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