South Africa’s opener Matthew Breetzke has smashed a historic century on his ODI debut against New Zealand today (February 10).
South Africa went into their tri-series opener with a second-string squad due to the regulars' commitment to the SA20. After being asked to bat first, they scored 304-6 runs. Their batting effort was led by debutant opener Breetzke, who slammed a 148-ball 150. He started the innings cautiously but unleashed mayhem in the latter half, smashing 11 fours and five sixes.
Before today, Breetzke only had one ton in his 58-match-long List-A career. He became the fourth South Africa player to slam a century on his ODI debut after Colin Ingram (124 vs Zimbabwe), Reeza Hendricks (102 vs Sri Lanka) and Temba Bavuma (113 vs Ireland).
The record for the highest score on ODI debut was long held by Desmond Haynes, who scored 148 against Australia in 1978. Breetzke's scintillating knock helped him snatch the record, with the South Africa batter becoming the first to hit 150 on his ODI debut.
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Apart from ODIs, Breetzke has represented South Africa in 10 T20Is and a Test. His exploits in the SA20 helped him bag an IPL contract with the Lucknow Super Giants worth INR 75 lakh.
Before Breetzke, Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the most recent player to make inroads in the top ten on the list. His 127 against Ireland in 2021 earned him the third spot.
Highest score on ODI debut in men's ODIs, full list
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