On Thursday, September 24, right-handed batsman Matthew Breetzke set a new world record in One Day Internationals by amassing the most runs after just 14 innings, surpassing the previous mark held by Pakistani batter Imam-ul- Haq. Breetzke batted at number 4 for the Proteas in the first ODI against Australia, scoring 112 runs off 106 balls at Kingsmead in Durban.
The 27-year -old ’s knock brought his total to 822 runs in 14 innings across 15 ODIs. Breetzke had scored 710 runs in 13 innings by the time he arrived at the match. His century against Australia contributed 112 runs to the total, putting him 63 runs ahead of the previous record and securing his place as the holder of a mark that dates back to the very beginning of this format.
Breetzke’s century against Australia in the series opener marks his second hundred in the 50-over format. In addition to two centuries, he has scored six half-centuries. In the first ODI between South Africa and Australia, Breetzke smashed 14 fours and two sixes for South Africa, then joined Marco Jansen to add 107 runs from 81 balls for the sixth wicket; Jansen himself scored 75 off 59 balls.
Breetzke’s second century in ODI cricket came at Kingsmead. In his 14 innings in the format, he has scored two centuries and six fifties, a consistent performance rather than sporadic flashes of brilliance. His innings were particularly crucial in the lower-middle order.
Players
Runs
In
Out
Venue
Date
AB de Villiers, Shaun Pollock
119
5/69
6/188
Gqeberha
March 5, 2006
Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen
107
5/168
6/275
Durban
September 24, 2026
Mark Boucher, Jonty Rhodes
97
5/158
6/255
Durban
April 3, 2002
Faf du Plessis, Ryan McLaren
73
5/101
6/174
Harare
September 2, 2014
Farhan Behardien, Wayne Parnell
73
5/206
6/279
Sydney
November 23, 2014
Breetzke and Marco Jansen formed a partnership of 107 runs for the sixth wicket, with Jansen scoring 75 off 59 balls. That stand ranks as South Africa’s second-highest sixth-wicket partnership in ODIs against Australia, trailing only the 119-run stand between AB de Villiers and Shaun Pollock at Gqeberha on March 5, 2006.
