South Africa vs New Zealand: Matthew Breetzke in motion.© AFP
South African opener Matthew Breetzke etched his title into the document books by changing into the primary batter to attain 150 runs on ODI debut in second match of the continued tri-series towards New Zealand on the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday. His beautiful knock of 150 off 148 balls, laced with 11 fours and 5 sixes, surpassed the earlier document held by the legendary West Indies’ batter Desmond Haynes, who scored 148 in his maiden ODI innings towards Australia again in 1978. Earlier than Breetzke’s innings, the best rating on ODI debut for South Africa was 124 by Colin Ingram towards Zimbabwe in 2010. Now, Breetzke stands alone on the high, delivering a efficiency that showcased persistence, aggression, and noteworthy shot choice as South Africa posted a mammoth 304/6.
Recent off a month-long stint within the SA20 2025 season, Breetzke seamlessly transitioned into the ODI format, forming an important second-wicket stand of 93 runs with Jason Smith (41).
He reached his half-century off 68 balls and continued to construct on his stable begin, finally reaching his maiden century in 128 deliveries with the assistance of six boundaries and two sixes.
In doing so, he grew to become solely the fourth South African to attain an ODI century on debut, becoming a member of an elite membership that includes Ingram, his present captain Temba Bavuma, and Reeza Hendricks.
Publish-century, Breetzke punished O’Rourke with two boundaries and a six in a single over, thus accelerating South Africa’s late-innings scoring and constructing momentum for the Proteas.
Whereas his partnership with Smith offered early stability, he went on to forge one other century stand for the fourth wicket with Wiaan Mulder (64), pushing South Africa previous the 300-run mark.
Breetzke, who will later be a part of the Lucknow Tremendous Giants in IPL 2025, exhibited full dominance on the crease, enabling South Africa to ascertain a formidable whole and offering their bowlers with a considerable platform of their bowling defence.
Matters talked about on this article
