A history of pink ODIs: Brilliant batting and bees

For the majority of the popular “Pink” ODI’s existence, the Proteas have scored a torrent of runs in those matches.

It will certainly be a welcome relief if South Africa can provide some batting entertainment given their depressing series against India to date.

Ahead of Saturday’s latest installment, we look back at the previous matches.

MARCH 2013: BOOM BOOM GIVES THE HOSTS A FRIGHT

Shahid Afridi. Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

Hashim Amla (122 off 113) and AB de Villiers (128 off 108) were a class apart as they guided the Proteas to 343/5.

Faf du Plessis had provided the finishing touches with a 19-ball 45. Pakistan lost regular wickets before the mercurial Shahid ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi delivered one of his specials.

Seven sixes flew off his blade – Ryan McLaren was hit over the centenary stand – as he galloped to 88 off 48. South Africa regained control to win by 34 runs.

DECEMBER 2013: A YOUNG PRODIGY ANNOUNCES HIMSELF

Quinton de Kock. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

India didn’t seem particularly interested in this affair given the drama of the BCCI shortening the tour due to political squabbles with CSA.

But Quinton de Kock took full advantage, crafting a beautiful 135 off 121. De Villiers weighed in with 77 off 47 as the Proteas reached 358/4.

Dale Steyn (3/25) bowled a memorable spell as India were shot out for 217. De Kock would make 100s in all three matches of the series.

JANUARY 2015: THE DAY AB DE VILLIERS CHANGED THE GAME

Hashim Amla. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

A world record opening stand of 247 between Amla (153*) and Rilee Rossouw (128) is a pretty big deal right?

Not if the No 3 comes in and smacks a world record 31-ball hundred.

De Villiers’ effort of 149 off 44 balls – 16 sixes! – was simply astonishing and rightly left the West Indies shell shocked.

FEBRUARY 2016: MAGIC MORRIS

Chris Morris. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Joe Root classily anchored an iffy England effort with a superb 109 in a total of 262.

Kagiso Rabada was hostile in grabbing 4/45 and Imran Tahir wily with 3/46.

The Proteas were staring at a series defeat with 56 needed and just 2 wickets standing despite England dropping numerous chances.

Then the ice-cool Chris Morris knuckled down, smashed four sixes in a 38-ball 62 and led the hosts to a thrilling one-wicket win.

South Africa won the final ODI to clinch the series.

FEBRUARY 2017: BEES STOP PLAY!

The bees took a liking to Quinton de Kock’s helmet. Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images.

This was generally an undistinguished match as a chastened Sri Lanka were bowled out for 163, with Dwaine Pretorius revelling on his home ground to take 3/19 with his seamers.

AB de Villiers (again) guided the Proteas to a comfortable win with an unbeaten 60.

The game was far more memorable for the bizarre incident where a swarm of bees interrupted play for over an hour.

Thankfully, a hobbyist beekeeper came to the rescue after he was watching the game at home and drove to the ground.

For more sport your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.