In the hallowed halls of Lord’s Cricket Ground, where legends are born and records are etched in cricketing immortality, Matthew Breetzke has just rewritten the history books. The 26-year-old South African sensation has achieved what no batsman in the 54-year history of One Day International cricket has ever accomplished – scoring 50+ runs in each of his first five ODI innings.
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The Historic Moment at Lord’s
On September 4, 2025, as England’s bowlers tried desperately to contain South Africa’s batting juggernaut, Breetzke calmly went about his business, crafting a brilliant 85 off just 77 balls. This wasn’t just another good innings – it was history in the making. With this knock, the right-handed batsman became the first player in ODI history to begin his career with five consecutive half-centuries.
The Record-Breaking Journey
| Innings | Match | Opponent | Score | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Tri-series | New Zealand | 150* | Lahore | Feb 10, 2025 |
| 2nd | Tri-series | Pakistan | 83 | Lahore | Feb 12, 2025 |
| 3rd | vs Australia | Australia | 57 | Cairns | Aug 19, 2025 |
| 4th | vs Australia | Australia | 88 | Mackay | Aug 22, 2025 |
| 5th | vs England | England | 85 | Lord’s | Sep 4, 2025 |
Breaking Boundaries from Day One
Breetzke’s ODI journey began like a fairy tale. Making his debut against New Zealand in Lahore, the Port Elizabeth-born batsman announced his arrival with a stunning 150 – the highest score ever by a debutant in ODI cricket. This knock shattered the 47-year-old record held by West Indies legend Desmond Haynes, who had scored 148 against Australia in 1978.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
Current ODI Statistics:
- Matches: 5
- Runs: 463
- Average: 92.60
- Strike Rate: 104.51
- Highest Score: 150*
- Lowest Score: 57
What makes these numbers even more remarkable is the consistency. In three of his five innings, Breetzke has been dismissed in the 80s (83, 88, and 85). Had he converted just one more of these into a century, he would have joined the elite club of batsmen with 500+ runs in their first five ODIs.
Surpassing Legends
The previous record for consecutive fifties at the start of an ODI career belonged to India’s Navjot Singh Sidhu, who achieved four consecutive half-centuries during the 1987 Cricket World Cup. However, Sidhu’s achievement came across five matches, as he didn’t bat in one game when India chased down a modest target.
Breetzke’s feat is even more extraordinary because:
- ✅ Pure consistency – Five innings, five fifties
- ✅ Different conditions – From Pakistan’s spin-friendly tracks to Australia’s pace-friendly pitches to England’s swing-friendly conditions
- ✅ Pressure situations – Performing across different series and tournaments
- ✅ Versatile batting positions – Adapting to team requirements
The Making of a Modern Great
Born on November 3, 1998, in Port Elizabeth, Breetzke’s journey to international stardom began at Grey High School. His domestic career with Eastern Province started in 2017, but it was his performances in the SA20 league and county cricket that caught international attention.
Key Career Milestones
Domestic Career:
- First-class debut: February 9, 2017
- List A debut: February 12, 2017
- T20 debut: September 1, 2017
International Breakthrough:
- T20I debut vs Australia: September 2023
- Test debut vs Bangladesh: October 2024
- ODI debut vs New Zealand: February 10, 2025
IPL Connection and Global Recognition
Breetzke’s consistent performances haven’t gone unnoticed in the franchise cricket world. The Lucknow Super Giants snapped him up for INR 57 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction, recognizing his potential as a future star. Though he managed just one match in his debut IPL season, scoring 14 runs, his ODI heroics have undoubtedly increased his market value exponentially.
International Impact
His record-breaking spree has significant implications:
- Most runs after 5 ODI matches: 463 runs (previous record: 374 by Tom Cooper)
- Perfect conversion rate: 5 out of 5 innings resulting in 50+ scores
- Versatile performer: Success across three different countries and conditions
The Statistical Marvel
What makes Breetzke’s achievement even more special is the context of modern ODI cricket. With fields spread out, pitches offering assistance to bowlers, and the pressure of maintaining strike rates above 100, scoring consistent fifties is no mean feat.
Comparison with ODI Greats
Looking at how other legends started their ODI careers:
- Viv Richards: Took 6 innings to score his first fifty
- Sachin Tendulkar: Scored his first fifty in his 6th innings
- Virat Kohli: First fifty came in his 3rd innings
- AB de Villiers: First fifty in his 2nd innings
None came close to Breetzke’s feat of five consecutive fifties to start a career.
What Lies Ahead
With his current average of 92.60 and a strike rate of 104.51, Breetzke has set the bar incredibly high for himself. The real test will be maintaining this consistency as bowlers study his technique and devise plans to counter his strengths.
Future Prospects
- Champions Trophy 2025: Despite missing initial selection, his recent performances make him a strong candidate
- World Cup 2027: At just 26, he could be South Africa’s batting mainstay
- Test Cricket: His red-ball credentials need development, but the talent is undeniable
The Bottom Line
Matthew Breetzke has created ODI history by becoming the first batsman to score 50+ in his first five innings, surpassing legends like Navjot Singh Sidhu. With 463 runs at an average of 92.60, the 26-year-old South African has announced himself as cricket’s newest superstar.
As Breetzke walked off Lord’s after his record-breaking 85, the applause wasn’t just for another good innings – it was recognition of witnessing history. In an era where cricket records are increasingly hard to break, this young man from Port Elizabeth has achieved something that may never be matched.
The cricketing world has found its newest sensation, and if these first five innings are any indication, we’re witnessing the birth of a truly special career. The question isn’t whether Breetzke will score another fifty – it’s how many more records he’ll break along the way.
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