AB de Villiers made 149 off 44 balls against West Indies — reaching his century off just 31 deliveries, the fastest ODI hundred in history — with 16 sixes and 9 fours in an innings that redefined what was considered humanly possible in white-ball cricket.
AB de Villiers was already established as one of cricket's most innovative batsmen — he had invented shots that coaching manuals had never described, hitting over point, over square leg, reverse-sweeping fast bowlers. The West Indies bowling in 2015 was not strong, but what de Villiers produced was beyond context.
South Africa were batting in a comfortable position, needing quick runs at the end of their innings. De Villiers came to the crease in the 33rd over. Hashim Amla had made a century at the other end.
De Villiers proceeded to hit almost every ball he faced for a boundary. His hundreds in various ODI matches had progressively lowered the record for the fastest century — 36 balls, 34 balls, and now 31. He reached 50 off 16 balls. 100 off 31. He was eventually dismissed for 149 off 44 balls.
The innings included 16 sixes — each to a different part of the ground. He hit Jerome Taylor over cover for six. He slog-swept Jason Holder over mid-on. He reverse-swept a full delivery over the slips for six. Conventional cricket coaching had no framework for what he was doing.
South Africa made 439/2. West Indies were bowled out for 291. South Africa won by 148 runs. The match result was irrelevant. The 149 off 44 balls is discussed to this day as the most complete expression of attacking batting genius in cricket history.
De Villiers reaching 50 off 16 balls — strike rate of 312
Century off 31 balls — the record that still stands
149 off 44 balls — with 16 sixes to every part of the Wanderers
January 18, 2015
South Africa vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Wanderers
33rd over
De Villiers comes to the crease
Ball 16
De Villiers reaches 50 — strike rate over 300
Ball 31
Century — fastest in ODI history
Ball 44
Out for 149 — South Africa 439/2
De Villiers continued to redefine batting possibilities until his retirement from international cricket in 2018. His 31-ball century record remains intact as of 2024. Several batsmen have come close but none has beaten it in international cricket.
The greatest display of attacking batting in cricket history — not just in terms of speed but innovation. De Villiers invented shots during the innings itself, treating the field restrictions as challenges to be creatively circumvented rather than limitations.
De Villiers's 31-ball century changed how coaches thought about ODI batting — the 360-degree approach, the ability to hit over any fielder, the willingness to invent shots became aspirational models. His innings against West Indies is the benchmark against which all attacking ODI batting is measured.
Australia vs West Indies
1960-12-14
The first tied Test in 86 years of cricket history — Australia and West Indies finished level on 737 runs each after five days of breathless cricket in Brisbane, producing one of the most dramatic finishes the game has ever seen.
India vs Australia
1986-09-22
Twenty-six years after Brisbane, cricket produced only its second tied Test — Dean Jones's heroic 210 through crippling heat and Dean Jones's fever, Ravi Shastri's unbeaten 48 and India needing 2 off the last over, only for Maninder Singh to be out lbw off the final ball.
Australia vs South Africa
1999-06-17
Lance Klusener smashed Australia to the brink of elimination, then ran out Allan Donald off the penultimate ball to tie the match — but Australia advanced to the final on superior run rate, ending South Africa's greatest World Cup campaign in devastating fashion.