South African batter Matthew Breetzke has set a world record for the highest individual score on debut in international cricket.
Breetzke scored an impressive 150 runs off 148 balls in his debut match, smashing five sixes and 11 fours to reach the milestone.
Put into bat first, the inexperienced Proteas side registered a massive total of 304/6 on the board, thanks to Breetzke and Wiaan Mulder.
South Africa, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as they lost their captain Temba Bavuma (20) in the eighth over with just 37 runs on the board.
Following the early hiccup, Breetzke joined forces with Jason Smith and put together a 97-run partnership for the second wicket.
The duo appeared in control until Smith got run out on the last delivery of the 25th over. He scored 41 off 51 with the help of one four and two sixes.
The Proteas then sustained another blow to their batting expedition when wicketkeeper batter Kyle Verreynne (one) fell victim to Michael Bracewell in the 27th over, bringing the total down to 132/3.
Breetzke was then joined by Mulder in the middle and together they raised a match-defining 131-run partnership for the fourth wicket, coming off from just 114 deliveries.
New Zealand’s experienced pacer Matt Henry eventually broke the partnership in the 46th over by getting Breetzke caught at mid-off.
Matthew Breetzke remained the top-scorer for South Africa with 150 off 148 deliveries, studded with 11 fours and five sixes.
Following his departure, Mulder switched gears and added valuable runs to South Africa’s total until falling victim to Will O’Rourke in the penultimate over.
Mulder smashed five fours and a six on his way to a 60-ball 64.
For New Zealand, Henry and O’Rourke picked up two wickets each, while Bracewell chipped in with one dismissal.
