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South Africa’s promising talent Matthew Breetzke etched his name into the record books during the second ODI against Australia at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. With regular skipper Temba Bavuma rested, Aiden Markram is leading the Proteas. However, it was Breetzke who stole the limelight with a remarkable batting milestone.
Early setbacks for South Africa
The visitors had a shaky start after electing to bat first. Stand-in captain Markram departed as early as the second over, followed soon by opener Ryan Rickelton. At 2 for 14, South Africa looked in trouble before Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi steadied the innings. The pair stitched a crucial 67-run partnership for the third wicket, guiding the team out of early pressure. De Zorzi’s dismissal for 38 briefly halted the momentum, but Breetzke carried on with confidence.
Matthew Breetzke achieves unique ODI record
Showing composure and timing, Breetzke reached his half-century in the 20th over. With this knock, he became the first player in ODI history to score fifties in each of his first four innings, a rare and unique feat. His unbeaten 80 against Australia added another layer to his impressive start at the international level.
Breetzke’s ODI scores so far
- 150 vs New Zealand, Lahore
- 83 vs Pakistan, Karachi
- 57 vs Australia, Cairns
- 80* vs Australia, Mackay
Also READ: AUS vs SA: Here’s why Temba Bavuma is not playing in the second ODI
Navjot Singh Sidhu’s similar achievement revisited
Interestingly, the only comparable record belongs to former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu, who also managed four fifties in his first four ODI matches, but not consecutively. Sidhu had two fifties in his debut games, missed out on batting in the third, and then added two more in his fourth and fifth ODIs.
Breetzke’s feat, however, is unprecedented for its successive nature, making him one of the brightest emerging batters in world cricket today.
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