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Not a part of Champions Trophy squad, South Africa opener becomes 1st batter score 150 on ODI debut, breaks legendary West Indies batter's 47-year-old record

Debutant Matthew Breetzke turned heads of South African selectors ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a record-breaking 150 on ODI debut.

Arun Rawal

• Mon • 10 Feb 2025

South Africa's Matthew Breetzke celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) as his teammate Wiaan Mulder (L) watches during the Tri-Nation series second ODI against New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 10, 2025.

Highlights:

Matthew Breetzke is fourth South African to score a century on ODI debut.

Breetzke is first batter to score a century against New Zealand on ODI debut.

Breetzke scored 150 runs from 148 balls on ODI debut.

In the absence of several senior players, Matthew Breetzke made his ODI debut at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on February 10 against New Zealand. Breetzke became the first batter in ODI cricket history to score 150 on debut. The previous record belonged to legendary West Indies batter Desmond Haynes who scored 148 against Australia in 1978.

Breetzke's knock was studded with 11 fours and five sixes. He took 148 balls to score 150 runs. He was eventually dismissed by Matt Henry in the 46th over of the innings.

Breetzke is the 18th batter in the format's history to score a century on debut. He is fourth South African batter to achieve the feat. Colin Ingram held the previous record with a 124-run knock against Zimbabwe in 2010. His captain Temba Bavuma scored 113 against Ireland in 2016 whereas Reeza Hendricks scored 102 against Sri Lanka in 2018.

Breetzke is the first batter to score an ODI century against New Zealand on debut. The previous highest score belonged to Australia's Kepler Wessels who scored 79 in 1983 at the MCG against the Kiwis.

"I am a bit tired but I just hope we can get the win, that's the only thing in my mind. It was very tricky this morning, the pitch was quite tacky and O'Rourke was really tough to face. My mindset was to just bat as long as possible. (Defendable total?) Hope so, it's obviously going to get easier to bat as the day goes on. If we can strike in the powerplay and squeeze in the middle, then hope we've got enough," Breetzke told the broadcasters during the innings break.

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No Breetzke in Champions Trophy

The 26-year-old has created a problem of plenty. He is not in South Africa's Champions Trophy 2025 squad. South Africa's openers are Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton join the squad. It will be interesting to see if South Africa make any changes to the squad as the deadline is February 11.

ALSO READ: 'As long as I'm clear about what I want to do, that's all matters, nothing else': Emotional Rohit Sharma after 32nd ODI century

South Africa post fighting total

Earlier, Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl first. Bavuma was dismissed early by William ORourke for a 23-ball 20. Breetzke took his time and reached his fifty from 68 balls. Jason Smith was run out for a 51-ball 41 in the 25th over. Kyle Verreynne could not do much either and got knocked over by Bracewell. Breetzke got to his maiden ODI hundred from 128 balls in the 41st over.

He accelerated after reaching three figures. In the slog overs, he went berserk and targetted Ben Sears. In the 45th over, he hit Sears for three fours and a six to reach his fifty from 147 balls. After Breetzke's wicket, Wiaan Mulder contributed with a 60-ball 64 and helped South Africa post 304/6.