 "South Africa’s young gun equals world record, joins Navjot Singh Sidhu in rare ODI feat")
South Africa ’s new batting star Matthew Breetzke is having a dream start to his ODI career. The right-hander scored 88 runs against Australia in the second ODI at Mackay on Friday, August 22, continuing his superb run of form.
Breetzke’s innings came against a strong Australian bowling attack with Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa. He played some brilliant shots, hitting eight fours and two sixes in his 78-ball knock.
Matthew Breetzke breaks Navjot Sidhu’s record
With this score, Breetzke equalled a world record for most consecutive ODI fifties after debut, a record that was earlier held only by India’s Navjot Singh Sidhu. He has now scored four fifties in his first four ODI matches.
The South African could have also matched another record had he scored 12 more runs. If he had reached a century, he would have been the joint-fastest South African to score two ODI hundreds in just four innings, alongside Colin Ingram.
Breetzke first made headlines earlier this year when he smashed 150 on his debut against New Zealand during a tri-series in Lahore, Pakistan. It was also the highest ever score by a debutant in ODIs. He broke West Indies legend Desmond Haynes’ record of 148 runs on debut in 1978.
Breetzke followed it up with 83 against Pakistan just two days later in Karachi. He then scored 57 against Australia in Cairns on August 19 and now 88 in Mackay. In just four games, Breetzke has scored 378 runs at an average of 94.50, with one century and three fifties.
Meanwhile, South Africa were bowled out for 277 runs after winning the toss and electing to bat first in the second ODI. Apart from Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs (74), Tony de Zorzi (38), Wiaan Mulder (26) and Keshav Maharaj (22) also contributed to the total.
The Proteas were looking good to cross the 300-run mark at one point but Australian bowlers, led by Zampa, made a strong comeback. At the time of writing this story, Australia need 146 runs from 23 overs with six wickets in hand. South Africa are currently 1-0 ahead in the series thanks to their win in the first ODI.
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