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Breetzke Shines in Defeat, Joins Elite Run-Scoring Club

Ranchi, India – Despite South Africa’s 17-run loss to India in the first ODI in Ranchi on Sunday, batsman Matthew Breetzke provided a bright spark with a fighting half-century. His 72 runs off 80 balls, studded with eight boundaries and a six, offered resistance as the Proteas chased India’s imposing 349/8, ultimately falling short.

More significantly, Breetzke’s innings has propelled him into an elite group of batsmen who have amassed over 600 runs in their first 10 ODI innings. The young South African now boasts 614 runs at an impressive average of 68.22 and a strike rate of 95.48 after his first 10 games. He is also the only player to score 50-plus runs in each of his first five innings.

Breetzke’s debut has been nothing short of sensational, marked by a century and five half-centuries, including a high score of 150 against New Zealand.

While Breetzke’s performance is noteworthy, he currently ranks third on the list of players with the most runs after their first 10 ODI innings. Ahead of him are:

  • Janneman Malan (South Africa): Holds the top spot with 661 runs. Malan has 958 runs in 23 matches.
  • Kevin Pietersen (England): The former England star is second with 649 runs.

Breetzke’s entry into this exclusive club marks him as a player to watch in the future, suggesting a promising career ahead for the South African batsman. While his efforts on Sunday couldn’t secure a victory, it certainly cemented his place as a rising star in the world of cricket.

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