AB blasts Proteas to huge total

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: AB de Villiers of South Africa bats during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and the West Indies at Sydney Cricket Ground on February 27, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: AB de Villiers of South Africa bats during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and the West Indies at Sydney Cricket Ground on February 27, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Published Feb 27, 2015

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Sydney - South Africa made 408 for five against the West Indies on Friday, the second-highest World Cup total of all time.

In the process, South Africa captain AB de Villiers smashed the second-fastest World Cup century off 52 balls in the Pool B game at the Sydney Cricket Ground before finishing on 162 not out.

 

The highest World Cup total is 413 for five made by India against Bermuda, a non-Test nation, in Trinidad in 2007.

 

The fastest ever World Cup century was made by Ireland's Kevin O'Brien, off 50 balls, against England in Bangalore during the 2011 tournament.

 

"It was a very enjoyable knock today. The foundation from the boys at the start freed me up," said de Villiers.

 

"I had a bit of luck here and there. I'm not a huge fan of setting targets but we had plans in place of reaching 300 halfway through the innings. This game is only half way and the only thing on my mind is winning it. We want to go and defend this total now."

 

Friday's innings was the second time in as many months that de Villiers had hammered the West Indies' attack after smashing the quickest all-time one-day international century, off just 31 balls, against them in Johannesburg on January 18.  -  AFP

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