AB de Villiers Reveals Fastest ODI Century 'Wasn't Part of the Plan'

AB de Villiers says his record-breaking 149 off 44 balls against the West Indies in the second One-Day International at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday came down to it just being "his day". De Villiers re-wrote the record books in a blistering knock in front of a packed Bullring decked out in pink to raise awareness and in support of breast cancer.   

 

"It definitely wasn't part of the plan," De Villiers said of his innings. "The plan was to be nice and aggressive. I sort of pushed to get David Miller in so he could take on Suliman Benn's last few overs but Russell (Domingo) was adamant that I should bat at three so it paid off.

"My thinking was to be nice and aggressive, I had no pressure on me so lots of credit has to go to Rilee (Rossouw) and Hash (Amla) for setting the foundation. I had no pressure on me, I could free up nicely knowing that if I got out there were quite a few guys to come that could hit the ball." (De Villiers Played a Hell of an Innings: Corey Anderson)

 

De Villiers says his performance on Sunday is "up there" amongst some of his best, but also played it down to a great Wanderers pitch and some luck. (AB de Villiers: South Africa's go to Man)

 

"It's all about the momentum," he said of his elaborate strokeplay. "You don't very often just come in and get momentum behind you right away, more often than not you have to work for it.  Today was one of those days, it was the exception, out of nowhere I hit a couple in the middle and I just started going. If you think back in history, guys who have played good knocks will always say that. I got to the middle and something clicked."

 

The bowlers replicated the outstanding batting performance, and built up the pressure against the West Indies' powerful batting line-up in pursuit of a record run-chase. (De Villiers Most Valuable Player in the Planet: Gilchrist)

 

"Overall I'm very happy," De Villiers said of the bowling performance. "I'm very happy with the way Vernon (Philander) pulled it back, he started off slowly and he pulled it back magnificently. Most of the other bowlers bowled really well. Dale (Steyn) was outstanding, "Morne (Morkel) was outstanding, Immi (Tahir) adapted really well under the pressure and obviously JP (Duminy) and Fudge (Behardien) did the job. The West Indies were always going to come after the bowling, especially the part-timers, but I thought they stuck together nicely as a bowling unit today." (Kumble Congratulates de Villiers)

South Africa travel to East London on Monday for the third ODI taking place at Buffalo Park on Wednesday.