South Africa batter Jordan Hermann made history on Wednesday, September 9, by equalling the world record for the highest individual score on ODI debut. The 24-year-old left-hander produced a sensational innings of 150 runs from 126 balls against Namibia in the first ODI at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
Hermann’s remarkable knock saw him match the record previously set by fellow South African Matthew Breetzke. Breetzke scored 150 runs from 148 deliveries on his ODI debut against New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 10, 2025.
With Hermann joining Breetzke, South Africa now have the only two players in international cricket history to score 150 runs in their first ODI appearance. The pair now sit at the top of the list for the highest individual scores on ODI debut. West Indies legend Desmond Haynes follows them after scoring 148 runs from 136 balls against Australia in St John’s on February 22, 1978.
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Hermann’s innings was built around aggressive strokeplay and consistency. He smashed 17 fours and three sixes during his stay at the crease, providing South Africa with a strong platform in their first bilateral ODI series against Namibia.
Century on ODI Debut
1972 – Dennis Amiss (ENG)
1978 – Desmond Haynes (WI)
1992 – Andy Flower (ZIM)
1995 – Saleem Elahi (PAK)
2009 – Martin Guptill (NZ)
2010 – Colin Ingram (SA)
2011 – Rob Nicol (NZ)
2013 – Phillip Hughes (AUS)
2014 – Michael Lumb (ENG)
2015 – Mark Chapman (HKG)… pic.twitter.com/T84nB2ExUr— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) September 9, 2026
The left-hander also played a key role in two important partnerships. He added 190 runs for the second wicket with Tony de Zorzi, who contributed 72 from 84 deliveries. Hermann later shared a 59-run third-wicket stand with Dewald Brevis, who scored 33 off 28 balls.
| PLAYER | COUNTRY | RUNS | BALLS | 4s | 6s | AGAINST | VENUE | DATE |
| Matthew Breetzke | South Africa | 150 | 148 | 11 | 5 | New Zealand | Lahore | February 10, 2025 |
| Jordan Hermann | South Africa | 150 | 126 | 17 | 3 | Namibia | Windhoek | September 9, 2026 |
| Desmond Haynes | West Indies | 148 | 136 | 16 | 2 | Australia | St John’s | February 22, 1978 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | 127 | 127 | 8 | 9 | Ireland | Abu Dhabi | January 21, 2021 |
| Mark Chapman | Hong Kong | 124* | 116 | 11 | 2 | UAE | ICCA Dubai | November 16, 2015 |
| Colin Ingram | South Africa | 124 | 126 | 8 | 2 | Zimbabwe | Bloemfontein | October 15, 2010 |
| Martin Guptill | New Zealand | 122* | 135 | 8 | 2 | West Indies | Auckland | January 10, 2009 |
| Andy Flower | Zimbabwe | 115* | 152 | 8 | 1 | Sri Lanka | New Plymouth | February 23, 1992 |
| Temba Bavuma | South Africa | 113 | 123 | 13 | 1 | Ireland | Benoni | September 25, 2016 |
| Phil Hughes | Australia | 112 | 129 | 14 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Melbourne | January 11, 2013 |
Interestingly, Hermann came agonisingly close to creating a new world record. Had he scored just one more run, his 151 would have taken him past Breetzke and given him sole possession of the record for the highest ODI debut score.
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However, his impressive innings ended when Namibia pacer Ruben Trumpelmann dismissed him with the fifth delivery of the 42nd over. Despite falling short of the outright record, Hermann’s 150 has already secured his place in ODI history and provided South Africa with a commanding platform against Namibia.
