AB de Villiers hits fastest ODI 150 in South Africa World Cup win

AB de Villiers hit the fastest ODI hundred against West Indies last month

AB de Villiers hit the fastest 150 in one-day internationals as South Africa condemned West Indies to a crushing 257-run defeat in Sydney.

De Villiers took 64 deliveries to reach 150, beating the previous best, set by Australia's Shane Watson, by 19 balls.

He finished 162 not out from 66 balls as South Africa made 408-5, the second-highest total in World Cups.

Imran Tahir took 5-45 as West Indies were 151 all out to equal the heaviest World Cup defeat by runs.

Only last month, De Villiers hit the fastest-ever ODI hundred against the same team in Johannesburg, from 31 balls.

In that same innings, South Africa's captain also set the record for the fastest fifty in ODIs, from 16 balls.

The Proteas made a sluggish start and were 87-1 after 20 overs, before De Villiers came to the crease in the 30th over with his side 146-3.

De Villiers put on 134 with Rilee Rossouw (61 from 39) and South Africa scored 222 from the last 15 overs, with De Villiers's 73 from the last five another ODI record.

West Indies captain Jason Holder's last two overs went for 64 runs, with one over going for 34. De Villiers finished with 17 fours and eight sixes, more than he had dot balls.

South Africa's total was the highest by any team in Australia and only India's 413-5 against Bermuda at Port of Spain in 2007 (which also finished in a 257-run victory for India) is higher in World Cups.

Hashim Amla (65) and Faf du Plessis (62) also made fifties for South Africa, while Holder, who conceded just nine runs in his first five overs, finished with figures of 1-104 off 10, the most expensive in World Cup history.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle, who scored the first double-hundred in World Cups against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, scored only three before he was bowled by Kyle Abbott.

Only Dwayne Smith (31) and Holder (56) offered any real resistance as leg-spinner Tahir tore through the West Indies batting, becoming the first South African spinner to take five wickets in a World Cup match.

The records in full

• AB de Villiers scored the fastest 150 in one-day internationals, from 64 balls. It beat the previous best by 19 balls

• De Villiers's 52-ball ton was the second-fastest in World Cups. Ireland's Kevin O'Brien made a 50-ball ton against England in 2011

• De Villiers's 73 from the last five overs was the most by a batsman in this period of a one-day international

• South Africa's 408-5 was the highest team total in one-day internationals by any side in Australia

• South Africa's total was the second-highest in World Cups. India made 413-5 against Bermuda in 2007

• West Indies seamer Jason Holder conceded the most runs in a 10-over spell in World Cups, finishing with 1-104

• Holder conceded the most runs in two consecutive overs in one-day internationals - 64

• South Africa's 257-run victory was the joint-biggest by runs in World Cups, equalling India's win over Bermuda in 2007

What De Villiers said

"I had some stomach problems last night, I didn't eat much and had a very rough night. But the doctor gave me an injection and I was on my way.

"The credit must go to the guys up front for setting a base. Rilee [Rossouw] inspired me a bit with his effort and that affected how I played. After timing a few I got the momentum behind me.

"The main thing is to know your own game, know your strengths and weaknesses and when to home in on the former.

"I enjoyed myself out there. I earned the right to have a go at the bowlers in the latter stages of the innings."

Spare a thought for Holder

"I thought we did well early in the game with the ball and keeping the run-rate down but then it got away from us.

"If you take away De Villiers's innings it is a totally different score but we dropped chances and psychologically chasing 400 is a huge task.

"We have some areas we need to improve on. We are confident we can make the quarter-finals."

How the cricket world reacted

Former England captain Michael Vaughan: I guess they will just blame the modern bats... 162 off 66 balls from @ABdeVilliers17 #Genius

Former England spinner Graeme Swann: It's almost like witchcraft - he knows where the ball is going to be before the bowler knows it and he almost makes them put it there.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew: WHAT?? Don't believe I've seen that AB innings. 162* from 66. 96 runs from last 5 overs. Holder goes for 75 from his last 3.

John Etheridge, The Sun's cricket correspondent: Nobody has ever batted like AB de Villiers. Such imagination, talent, dexterity and power. He can hit the ball anywhere he chooses.

Simon Wilde, Sunday Times cricket correspondent: I thought a cricket pitch had 360 degrees. AB de Villiers seems to have found another 90 from somewhere. Astonishing.