The Newlands crowd were treated to a batting masterclass from Faf du Plessis as the right-hander smashed career high score of 185 against Sri Lanka. His batting effort saw him steer South Africa to a commanding 367 for 5 in the first innings. The special innings almost took him on the verge of bettering Gary Kirsten’s unbeaten 188 run knocks and become the highest run scorer in an ODI innings for South Africa. Unfortunately, the feat was denied to him after Lahiru Mashushanka snapped his wicket in the last over of the innings.
Du Plessis, whose previous best was 133*, also joined the elite list of Proteas players who have registered 150+ scores in their ODI career. His current teammate Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy along with retired names Herschelle Gibbs and Andrew Hudson are the only men to have got a 150+ individual score for South Africa. That being said, Sportzwiki takes look at SA’s top 5 highest run-scorers in ODI cricket.
Gary Kirsten – 188* v UAE:
Gary Kirsten, the former left-handed opener and now prominent coach, made mincemeat of poor UAE bowler at Rawalpindi. On 16th February 1996, South Africa met minnows UAE in the 2nd match of the Wills World Cup. UAE made a disastrous decision to bowl first. South Africa, favourites to win, were more happy to bat first and went on post 321 for the loss of just two wickets with Kirsten scoring a majestic 188* off just 159 balls. There was no mercy from him. While his teammates could not make full use of the weak bowling attack that was on offer, the left-hander, who opened the innings, completely feasted on it, hammering 4 sixes and 3 fours en route to the record-breaking individual score which was not only the highest score by a South African but also among all the nations at that time.
Faf du Plessis – 185 vs Sri Lanka:
Faf du Plessis look at utmost ease against Sri Lanka during the 4th ODI at the Newlands Stadium, Cape Town. The decision to bat first on the surface which was expected to favour the batsmen proved absolutely correct for the home side as Du Plessis led the assault with the bat, making 185 off just 141 balls including 16 fours and 3 sixes. Coming out to bat early in the 2nd over after Hashim Amla’s dismissal, he put on 100 for the third wicket with De Kock before the latter lost his wicket. Proteas captain, AB de Villiers then joined Du Plessis and the two put on 137 for the third wicket with De Villiers getting dismissed for 37th over for a well-made 67. Du Plessis occupied the crease till the final over of the innings and it seemed he was on his way of beating Kirsten’s long-standing record. However, he could not survive the final over and was dismissed four balls before the end of the innings.
Quinton de Kock -178 vs Australia:
Quinton de Kock became South Africa’s most trusted young batsman in no time, thanks to his penchant for making big scores in the limited overs format. Since making his debut in 2013, De Kock, by the time 2016 was nearing its end had already registered 10 centuries to his name. But, the best of knock of his career was in cans and was showcased at Centurion against Australia. The opener decimated the second string Aussie pace attack and registered a superb 178 runs innings. After being set a target of 295 runs to chase in the 1st ODI of the five-match series, De Kock along with Rilee Rossouw gave a fiery start to the chase before the former took the matter into his own hands and finished the match in just 36.2 overs. The Australians looked like mere spectators as he went cruising along with 11 sixes and 16 fours to his name.
Herschelle Gibbs – 175 v Australia:
The hard-hitting Herschelle Gibbs was at his finest when South Africa met Australia in what can be called as the mother of all high scoring matches in the history of ODIs. The 5th ODI between both the teams saw over 872 runs being amassed in two innings. Australia, batting first, hammered the Proteas bowling to register 434/4 in the first innings. The South African’s, like a hurt lion, came back harder and scripted a record chase with Gibbs leading the path, smashing career best 175 runs. The unreal looking task was made to look simple, thanks to his 111 balls effort which consisted 21 fours and 7 sixes. Opener Dippenaar was removed early as South Africa suffered an early setback. However, Gibbs then walked in and forged 189-run stand with skipper Graeme Smith who himself scored 90 runs off just 55 balls. He eventually lost his wicket in the 32nd over but not before setting a perfect platform for mark Boucher and the lower order to finish the match.
Dave Callaghan – 169 vs New Zealand:
Dave Callaghan’s name might not sound familiar but his short 29 ODI career is greatly highlighted by his wonderful unbeaten knock of 169. Although the seam bowling all-rounder’s career never took off due to inconsistency, his once in a lifetime knock is still remembered by Proteas cricket lover. On 11th December 1994, in the sixth match of the Mandela trophy, Hansie Cronje chose to send him as the opener with Andrew Hudson. Callaghan, who was never sure of his place and batted everywhere in the batting order, responded with a 143 ball batting delight while helping South Africa register 314 for 7 in 50 overs. New Zealand could not even come close to the total and eventually lost the match and Callaghan was rewarded with the man of the match award for his effort. Ironically this happened to be the only century he scored in his career with the next best being an unbeaten 45 which came against India in 1992.