South African opener Jordan Hermann made a spectacular start to his ODI career, smashing 150 runs off just 126 balls against Namibia in the first match of the series in Windhoek.
Hermann’s explosive innings, featuring 17 fours and three sixes, saw him equal a rare world record held by fellow South African Matthew Breetzke. Breetzke had scored 150 on his ODI debut last year, becoming the first batter to achieve the feat.
Making his ODI debut after previously breaking into South Africa’s T20I side this year, Hermann opened the innings alongside Connor Esterhuizen. After South Africa lost an early wicket, he joined forces with experienced batter Tony de Zorzi and launched an aggressive assault on the Namibian bowlers.
The pair added a massive 190-run partnership from 167 balls, with de Zorzi contributing 72.
Hermann reached his first 50 from 61 balls before dramatically accelerating. He scored his next 50 in only 32 deliveries to bring up his maiden ODI century.
The opener maintained the same blistering pace after reaching three figures, taking just another 32 balls to move from 100 to 150. With that milestone, he became only the second batter in history to score 150 on an ODI debut.
His record-equalling innings ended immediately after reaching the landmark, as he was dismissed by Ruben Trumpelmann off the very next delivery.
South Africa’s imposing total was further strengthened by useful contributions from Dewald Brevis, who made 33, and Corbin Bosch, who scored 39. Powered by Hermann’s remarkable debut, South Africa finished on 348 for six.
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