Fastest 50 by South Africa in ODI

In the game of cricket, South Africa is without a doubt one of the best teams in the world. They have been dominant in both red-ball and white-ball cricket over the years. The country has produced many of the greatest players in the game. That is why the Proteas are among the best teams in the world. However, they haven’t had much success in the ODI World Cup events.

But they have made it into the top four of the ODI World Cup four times in 1992, 1999, 2007, and 2015. Despite not winning the World Cup events, they are always considered the favorites. In this article, we will discuss the fastest fifty in ODI cricket. In fact, a South African batter holds the record for the fastest fifty in ODIs.

3. Justin Kemp (19-ball) against Zimbabwe at Durban

Justin Kemp has hit the third fastest ODI fifty for South Africa against Zimbabwe. It was the second match of the three-match series, and Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bowl first. South Africa got off to a flying start thanks to opener and captain Greame Smith’s century. He made 117 runs and Herschelle Gibbs made 75. But the real cameo came from the bat of Justin Kemp.

He came in the end and smashed a 19-ball half-century to take his team over the 300-run mark. Kemp scored 53* runs off 21 balls, including two fours and five maximums. In reply, Zimbabwe only managed 198/7 in their 50 overs and lost the match by 131 runs. Smith won the “Man of the Match” award.

2. Mark Boucher (19-ball) against Kenya at Cape Town

It was the 8th match of the Standard Bank Triangular Tournament between South Africa and Kenya. South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first. They had a really good start, and both Gary Kirsten and Neil McKenzie scored their respective half-centuries. Kirsten made 124 while McKenzie scored 131 runs. In the end, it was Mark Boucher’s show. He came out to bat, all guns blazing, and scored a 19-ball fifth.

Boucher scored 51* off 19 balls, with two fours and four maximums, and helped his team go past the 350-run mark. South Africa scored 354/3. It was too big a target for Kenya to chase. And it happened like that. Chasing the target, Kenya were dismissed for just 146 runs and lost the match by 208 runs.

1. AB de Villiers (16-ball) against West Indies (fastest ODI half-century in the history)

There is only one man who can do wonders on the cricket field, and he is none other than AB de Villiers. The former South African skipper and “Mr.360” holds the record for the fastest fifty in ODI cricket. It was the second ODI of the five-match series in Johannesburg. Batting first, South Africa just broke many records that day. They made 439/2 in their 50 overs. The top three batters all scored centuries. 

Hashim Amla made an unbeaten 153 runs, while Rilee Rossouw scored 128. But the real innings came from the bat of AB de Villiers. He came and just took the game away. De Villiers made 149* off just 44 balls, and that included a 16-ball half-century. In reply, the West Indies scored 291/7 in 50 overs and lost the match by 148 runs. De Villiers also broke the record for the fastest century in that innings.

List of Fastest 50 by South Africa in ODI

Fastest 50 in ODI Team Wise