Hermann’s glorious debut ton for Proteas equals ODI record

Opener Jordan Hermann smashed 150 off just 126 balls in the first ODI against Namibia, equalling the record for the highest score on ODI debut.

Hermann’s blistering knock included a whopping seventeen fours and three sixes as the Proteas debutant matched the record set by his teammate Matthew Breetzke last year, who also scored 150 on his ODI debut.

Hermann, who made his T20I debut earlier this year, earned his first ODI cap in the series opener against Namibia in Windhoek, kickstarting the innings for the visitors alongside Connor Esterhuizen.

After South Africa lost an early wicket, Hermann and the experienced Tony de Zorzi took the attack to the Namibian bowlers, putting together a mammoth 190-run stand off just 167 balls.

Hermann brought up his half-century off 61 balls before shifting through the gears in a spectacular fashion, reaching his next fifty in just 32 balls to bring up a memorable maiden century.

He continued his assault, racing from 100 to 150 in just 32 balls to become only the second batter to score 150 on ODI debut. However, his record-equalling innings came to an end on the very next ball when Ruben Trumpelmann claimed the prized wicket.

Alongside Hermann’s mammoth knock, Tony de Zorzi produced an excellent 72, while useful contributions from Dewald Brevis (33) and Corbin Bosch (39) helped South Africa post a formidable 348.

South Africa and Namibia are competing in a three-match ODI series, which offers vital preparation for two of the three co-hosts of next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.