Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi became the South African player quickest to reach 50 ODI wickets on Wednesday.

Ngidi removed Australia batsmen David Warner, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to reach 50 wickets in 26 ODIs. His telling spell reduced the Aussies to 85-3 inside the opening 13 overs.

Former left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe held the record previously, having taken 50 wickets in 27 ODIs.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and seamer Craig Matthews reached 50 wickets in 28, 31 and 32 ODIs, respectively.

The now retired Morne Morkel, Shaun Pollock and Roger Telemachus required 33, 34 and 35 ODIs, respectively, to reach the milestone. All-rounders Lance Klusener and Wayne Parnell did it in 36 ODIs each.

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South Africa lead the three-match series after a comfortable victory in the first ODI at Boland Park in Paarl, where middle-order batsman Heinrich Klaasen struck a century.

The third ODI will be played at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom later this week. The Proteas are without batsman Temba Bavuma and Rabada, who have been sidelined by respective hamstring and groin injuries.

Bavuma will tour India with the Proteas later this month, regardless. Rabada won’t and both will be vying for selection in South Africa’s squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

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