AB de Villiers Slams Fastest ODI Hundred
South Africa skipper AB de Villiers took just 31 balls to break New Zealander Corey Anderson's record - ton off 36 balls.
South Africa skipper AB de Villiers smashed the fastest hundred in One Day Internationals - off just 31 balls - during the second match against West Indies at Johannesburg on Sunday. (Blog | Scorecard)
De Villiers hit a record-equalling 16 sixes and nine fours during his thunderous knock, breaking New Zealander Corey Anderson's record of a 36-ball ton in 2014. Rohit Sharma had hit 16 sixes during his 209-run knock vs Australia in 2013. (Also read: Gilchrist hails de Villiers as best on the planet)
He fell for 149 off 44 deliveries, one run away from shattering the record for fastest 150 - currently held by Australian Shane Watson who reached the mark in 83 balls against Bangladesh - as he guided the hosts to their highest ODI total - 439 for two.
The West Indies were never likely to chase down a world record target but managed 291 for seven to give South Africa a 148-run win and a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
The feat overshadowed a remarkable innings from Hashim Amla, who batted through the innings to finish unbeaten on 153. Amla shared a record 247-run stand for the first wicket with Rilee Rossouw, who made 128.
De Villiers, who missed out on the fastest 150, and Amla were involved in a 67-ball 192-run stand for the second wicket.
The veteran wicket-keeper-batsman had earlier scored the fastest half-century off 16 balls after South Africa were asked to bat by West Indies skipper Jason Holder.
This was the first time that three centuries were scored in an ODI innings. There had been 116 instances of two centuries in an innings prior to this.