Cricket Classics - Part XXiX : : 2nd ODI, West Indies tour of South Africa 2014-15 - Destruction from AB de Villiers
Hello, fellow Sports Enthusiasts,
Cricket is not just a sport between two teams; it's a battle of skills, strategy, and capitalizing on clutch moments. Although the game has transformed over the decades, it has never failed to impress or leave us with unforgettable moments.
So, through this series, I will present some of the most iconic cricket matches that have made fans jump out of their seats. Let's remember those legendary games once a week. I am with another iconic match.
AB de Villiers! This guy is an alien! He is innovative, entertaining, destructive most of the time, but very resilient if it's necessary. And without a doubt, he is one of the greatest Cricketers we have ever seen. It's very hard to find someone who hates him. Even at the age of 41, in the last World Championship of Legends 2025, he scored 431 runs at an average of 143.67, and a strike rate of 221.03, with 46 fours and 26 sixes, in just 6 innings.
So, today I'm to share one of his unbelievable performances. In the presence of some destructive ODI players like Jayasuriya, Gayle, Hayden, Gilchrist, and Shewag, this guy set some records, destroying the bowling attack.
In 2014/15 West Indies toured South Africa in a big series of 3 Test matches, 3 T20Is, and 5 ODI matches. This was the second ODI match held on January 18, 2015, at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
The South African team was led by AB de Villiers, with some legendary players likeHashim Amla, Dumini, Du Plessis, Miller, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, etc. Jason Holder captained the West Indies team, with Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy, etc.
West Indies won the toss and elected to field, which became a disaster. Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw started the batting; they did a pretty damn good job. The first wicket partnership was 247 in 38.3 overs. Russow scored his maiden century, 123 runs off 115 balls. And on the other side, Amla stayed until the end of the innings, scoring 153 runs off 142 balls.
These two didn't try too hard, but scored freely and rotated the strikes well. Well, what can to say about Amla, one of the greatest openers in our generation, who received the Hall of Fame recognition a few months back.
But these two knocks were overshadowed by a 44-ball inning from de Villiers. It changed ODI cricket forever. He was just smashing the ball everywhere, just like an alien. For the second wicket, these two scored 197 runs off just 67 balls, at an average of 17.12 to the over. And from that, Amla faced 30 balls scoring 33 runs. Just imagine the effort of Mr.360. It was insane.
No ballers were spared, and there was a wide range of shots all around the park. He scored 149 with just 44 balls. It includes 9 fours and 16 sixes. The strike rate was 338.63. 132 runs were scored off boundaries. That's 88%.
He registered,
- The fastest ODI Fifty – Reached in just 16 balls
- The Fastest ODI Century – Reached in just 31 balls
- Most Sixes in an ODI innings at that time – 16 sixes - Later Morgan passed it with 17 sixes in 2019
It could have been the fastest 150 as well. Anyway, later that year, in the 2015 ODI World Cup, he claimed that record as well against the same opponent in just 64 balls.
So, with that effort, SA scored 439/2, still their highest ODI score.
As the chase, WI couldn't deliver as expected. They ended up scoring 291/7. South Africa won by 148 runs.
So, witnessed one one of the greatest ODI inning from a special player. Not getting settled, smashed straightaway from ball 01, and no mercy. You will be a ido forever man!
See you at the next episode!! You can always suggest a match to discuss in the next episode.
src - espncricinfo
Wikipedia
Thank you.
Best Regards!