Matthew Breetzke redefines the aura of ODI cricket setting up a new World record on debut; Top 5 players to score a hundred on ODI debut
The ODI format has drawn attention over the years, as many great players have left their mark on the format ever since their debut. The tri-series has returned with New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa, as several new players are adorning the format before making an impact for the ICC Champions Trophy.
Matthew Breetzke, who made his debut for South Africa in the ODI format, smashed a scintillating century to give South Africa a respected total after the loss of wickets early on. Opening the innings, the young lad seemed unstoppable as he became the first-ever batter in the history of the game to have scored a 150 on his ODI debut.
Breetzke not only manhandled the Kiwi bowlers or gave his team some reason to celebrate, but he also attained individual glory as he broke West Indies great Desmond Haynes's record score of 148 runs on debut. The record has been broken after 47 years since the batter held the record ever since his debut in 1978.
Most runs scored on ODI debut:
1. Matthew Breetzke
Breetzke's hundred on debut is now the highest score by any batter on white-ball debut (Image Credit: X)
The 26-year-old Protea batter opened the South African innings in the ongoing Tri-series in Pakistan. He has previously played in a test and 10 T20Is for South Africa. Slamming 150 runs off 148 balls, his century not only came in his debut but also broke a long-standing record.
2. Desmond Haynes
Former West Indies veteran opener Desmond Haynes made his debut in the ODI format back in 1978 against Australia, as he almost single-handedly took his team over the board with a stunning total. His 148 off 136 balls came in those days, which remained a 47-year-long record as the highest score by any batter on debut.
3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
First Afghan batter to score a hundred on debut (Image Credit: TOI)
Afghanistan youngster and promising batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz made his debut for the side back in 2021 against Ireland. The right-handed batter, who now already has the most hundreds scored by any Afghan batter in the history of the game, began his career with a decent run-a-ball hundred against the Irish in 2021. His debut inning was 127 runs off the same number of balls.
4. Mark Chapman
Kiwi batter Mark Chapman also started his career with a knock to remember for generations to come when the batter scored a sensational hundred on debut for New Zealand against Hong Kong, making his debut in the ICC World Cricket League Championship in 2015. His unbeaten score of 124* still remains the highest unbeaten score on debut by any batter in the format.
5. Colin Ingram
The last man on our list trails back to the Cape of Good Hope, as Colin Ingram, once an all-format batter for the Proteas, stunned all with his debut against African opponents Zimbabwe. Batting at no.3, he scored for South Africa on debut and slammed an impressive 124, and like all other players, he was also awarded the man of the match in the particular game.
ALSO READ: Despite Breetzke's heroics, New Zealand advanced to the finals of the Pakistan Tri-series