Breetzke’s record 150 in vain as Proteas crash to New Zealand in tri-series match

Opener Matthew Breetzke hit a fabulous 150 off 148 balls for the Proteas against New Zealand in Lahore on Monday to record the highest score in ODI cricket on debut.

Breetzke’s innings helped the Proteas post 304/6 in their 50 overs in their match in the tri-series that also includes Pakistan.

The series is a warm-up for the Champions Trophy which starts next week, also in Pakistan.

Breetzke, who has played in one Test and 10 T20s for the Proteas, debuted in ODI cricket on Monday.

He hit 11 fours and five sixes in his innings.

His score though was in vain as New Zealand raced to their target with four wickets down and eight balls to spare for a convincing six-wicket victory.

Kane Williamson, who played alongside Breetzke at Durban’s Super Giants in the recent SA20, hit a composed 133 not out off 113 balls, while Devon Conway, who played for the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20, scored 97.

‘Bat as long as possible’

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Breetzke of his record-breaking score at the change of innings.

“It was tricky out there early on, because the wicket was quite tacky. I just tried to bat for as long as possible and give myself a chance at the end.”

Breetzke became the fourth SA player to hit a century on ODI debut. The previous highest ODI score on debut was 148 by West Indian Desmond Haynes against Australia in Antigua in 1978.

Other significant contributions in the Proteas’ turn at the crease came from Jason Smith, who hit 41 off 51, and Wiaan Mulder, who hit 64 off 60.

The next match for the Proteas is on Wednesday in Karachi against the hosts, Pakistan.