dern-day legend, AB de Villiers, made his ODI debut in February 2005 against England at Bloemfontein. The right-hand batsman, who has scored 24 ODI centuries so far, had to wait for more than two years to score his first one. The fact that it came in as a match-winning knock during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 would have been worth the wait for de Villiers.

In what was a Super Eights match, West Indian captain, Brian Lara, won the toss and chose to bowl. Corey Collymore drew the first blood as he dismissed Graeme Smith (7) in the seventh over. It was here, when AB de Villiers was joined by Jacques Kallis. The duo went on to register a 170-run partnership, which was just the base for more destruction by the following batsmen.

Kallis had scored 81 (86) with the help of six fours and a six. He was clean bowled by Chris Gayle. Nonetheless, de Villiers went on to complete his maiden ODI century. In what was a swash-buckling innings, he ended up scoring 146 (130) with the help of 12 fours and five sixes and at a strike rate of 112.30. de Villiers heroics enabled South Africa to score 356-4 in 50 overs.

In reply, West Indies could only manage 289-9 in 50 overs and lost the match by 67 runs. Ramnaresh Sarwan top-scored with 92 (75) with the help of 10 fours and a six. Watch the full video of de Villiers’ heroics: