Published: Feb 27, 2015, 12:39 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 27, 2015, 01:19 PM (IST)
AB de Villiers scored the second-fastest World Cup century by reaching the milestone in 51 deliveries during South Africa’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Pool B match against West Indies at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. It was the South African skipper’s 20th One-Day International (ODI) century, as South Africa were headed towards a massive total in their third game of the ongoing World Cup. The record for the fastest World Cup century is currently held by Ireland batsman Kevin O’Brien, who achieved the feat against England in the 2011 World Cup.
This is also de Villiers’ third consecutive World Cup century against West Indies, having scored a century against them in 2007 and 2011 editions of cricket’s biggest event.
The Proteas were batting slowly during the initial overs, getting 30 runs off 10 overs, before the pair of Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis began to steady the innings for their team. Live Updates: South Africa vs West Indies at Sydney
Amla and du Plessis brought up their 28th and 14th One-Day International (ODI) half-centuries during the 127-run partnership for the second wicket. The pair were looking well-settled at the crease and helped South Africa gain control of the match, before Chris Gayle struck twice in the 30th over to bring things to an even keel. While du Plessis was dismissed off the 62 off 70 balls after getting caught by Denesh Ramdin, Amla departed after getting trapped leg-before. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
South Africa earlier won the toss and elected to bat, with skipper AB de Villiers looking to utilise the conditions which he felt was perfect for batting. South Africa made three changes, Rilee Rossouw, Farhaan Behardien and Kyle Abbott were drafted in place of JP Duminy, Wayne Parnell and Vernon Philander. West Indies opted to replace Nikita Miller with the lofty Suleiman Benn.ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
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