De Villiers blasts 162 as South Africa smash 408-5 against Windies

SYDNEY: South Africa captain AB de Villiers (pix) smashed the second fastest century in World Cup history, leading his side to a huge 408-5 against the West Indies at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.
De Villiers finished on an unbeaten 162 off just 66 balls as South Africa raced to the second highest World Cup total, behind only the 413-5 made by India against Bermuda, a non-Test nation, in Trinidad in 2007.
De Villiers destroyed the West Indians with eight sixes and 17 fours and was particularly savage on his counterpart Jason Holder, clouting four sixes off the pace bowler's final over.
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.
De Villiers, who made his century off 52 balls, teed off in the final overs, plundering 34 off Holder's penultimate over – two sixes, three fours and a two – and then 30 off his last over. Holder finished with 1-104 off 10 overs.
Apart from the spectacular de Villiers show it was a solid supporting effort from the South African top order with Hashim Amla contributing 65 off 88 balls, Faf du Plesssis 62 off 70 and Rilee Rossouw slamming 61 off 39 balls.
The Proteas, who have yet to win a World Cup, put behind them their disappointing last start 130-run loss to defending champions India.
Opener Quinton de Kock hit three boundaries before his attempted cut off a short Holder delivery flew to Andre Russell in the covers for the first Windies breakthrough in the sixth over of the innings.
Amla hit Darren Sammy over his head for six to raise his 50 off 75 balls and du Plessis reached his 50 off 59 balls with just two boundaries.
Amla and du Plessis provided the Proteas with a secure platform, bringing up their 100-run partnership off 121 balls.
But Chris Gayle struck in the 30th over with two wickets in three balls, removing du Plessis caught behind for 62 attempting a shot through extra cover and then trapping Amla leg before wicket for 65.
Gayle caused early problems with his offbreaks and had the figures of 2-10 off just two overs.
But de Villiers and Rossouw began to up the tempo, raising their 100-run stand off 60 balls and a power play netted 72 runs without a wicket.
The skipper brought up his 50 off 30 balls and Rossouw's half-century came off 31 balls as the pair accelerated the run-rate to 6.4.
De Villiers unfurled some of his trademark shot-making, sweeping Sulieman Benn for four, smashing the left-arm spinner for six and an exquisite sweep for six off Russell.
Rossouw perished going after the runs, edging Russell to Denesh Ramdin for 61 with six fours and a six.
Jerome Taylor provided the catch of the day to dismiss David Miller for 20 with a splendid one-handed effort to prevent a six and also managed to stay inside the boundary rope. – AFP