Star player from Sanjiv Goenka’s LSG equals MASSIVE record of Navjot Singh Sidhu, his name is…
South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Breetzke created history on Friday as he became the first batter in ODI history to start his career with four consecutive scores of 50-plus scores. Breetzke achieved the feat during the second ODI against Australia after scoring a powerful 88 off 78 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, surpassing former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu’s 48-year-old record.
Notably, Sidhu had started his career with four consecutive fifties, but those came across five matches, while Breetzke has played only four ODIs and scored half-centuries in each. Breetzke was bought for Rs 75 lakh by Sanjiv Goenka’s Lucknow Super Giants team at the IPL 2025 mega auction last year. But he played in only one match for LSG in IPL 2025 season and scored 14 runs.
Matthew Breetzke holds a world record too
Breetzke already holds a world record to his name, having become the player with the highest score on ODI debut when he smashed 150, his first 50-plus score in his first match against New Zealand in Lahore earlier this year. His second half-century came in the same series against Pakistan, in which he scored 83.
The wicketkeeper-batter played a 57-run knock in the opening match of the three-match series, which the Proteas won by 98 runs, courtesy of spinner Keshav Maharaj’s fifer. The 26-year-old came to bat at number four on Friday, and his innings saw him score eight boundaries and two maximums before he was dismissed by Nathan Ellis and fell short of his century.
Breetzke’s innings helped stabilise the Proteas innings after two early wickets, with Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton both falling early on in the powerplay. Breetzke stitched together handy partnerships with both Tony de Zorzi (38) and Tristan Stubbs (74). Stubbs’ knock came off 97 balls and was studded with three fours and one six.
After Breetzke’s dismissal, the Proteas lost wickets in quick succession and are currently reeling at 264/9 with Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi at the crease. They were eventually bundled out for 277 in 49.1 overs.
Breetzke secured an IPL contract and made his debut for the Lucknow Super Giants in this year’s tournament. However, he had limited opportunities, featuring in just one match where he scored 14 runs.
Story Highlights
- South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke equalled 48-year-old record of former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu in the second ODI vs Australia in Mackay.
- Matthew Breetzke like Navjot Sidhu score four fifties in first 4 innings in ODI cricket. But Sidhu’s first 4 innings were spread over 5 ODIs.
- Matthew Breetzke top-scored with 88 as South Africa posted 277 after batting first vs Australia.
- Lungi Ngidi claimed five-wicket haul to bowl out Australia for 193 and win the match by 84 and the series 2-0.
Australia, in reply, were bundled out for just 193 in 37.4 overs with pacer Lungi Ngidi claiming 5/42. South Africa won the match by 84 runs to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series.