Centuries and ducks are polar opposites in cricket. The former epitomises success for a batsman, while the latter means failure. For South Africa, there are several examples of both.
Hashim Amla has 26 centuries and four ducks in ODI cricket. Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England have dismissed the veteran right-hander for zero, while the Sri Lankans – and West Indies – have each endured five centuries from the talented batsman.
Before he retired from international cricket earlier this year, AB de Villiers gathered 25 centuries and seven ducks. He never allowed any country to get rid of him for more than one duck, but capitalised against India in particular for six ODI centuries. De Villiers has also strung together a successful career in the Indian Premier League, for the Delhi Daredevils and then the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The IPL traditionally affords batsmen big scores, but has been known to level them with low scores as well.
Most ducks in ODI cricket for South Africa
- Herschelle Gibbs – 22
- Shaun Pollock – 20
- Jacques Kallis – 17
- Mark Boucher – 16
- Lance Klusener – 13
- Allan Donald – 12
- Jonty Rhodes – 12
- Gary Kirsten – 11
- Darryl Cullinan – 10
- Morne Morkel – 9
In the list above, it’s interesting to note that only two of the 10 are tail-enders. A speciliast batsman holds top spot, while a handful of all-rounders feature.
Rilee Rossouw might have gone onto surpass Gibbs, but has signed a Kolkpak contract and is therefore no longer available for the Proteas. He managed five ducks in 35 innings. Four of those came in his first six innings. Rossouw will, indeed, resonate with Betway’s blog about the cruelty of batting.
South Africa’s top 10 ODI centurions
- Hashim Amla – 26
- AB de Villiers – 25
- Herschelle Gibbs – 21
- Jacques Kallis – 17
- Quinton de Kock – 13
- Gary Kirsten – 13
- Graeme Smith – 10
- Faf du Plessis – 9
- Boeta Dippenaar – 4
- David Miller – 4
After du Plessis’ nine ODI centuries, it’s interesting to note that no South African has more than Dippenaar or Miller’s four. Dippenaar has retired, while Miller is still playing – and will be in action against the Australians later this year. In Australia, he will have the opportunity to build on an impressive ODI career aggregate against Aaron Finch and company.
Did you know three of de Kock’s 13 centuries came in consecutive matches against India in 2013? December of that year yielded 135, 106 and 101 across just six days, as Johannesburg, Durban and Centurion witnessed the hard-hitting left-hander’s entertaining talent.
