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Rediff.com  » Cricket » PHOTOS: Fired up De Villiers had aggression on his mind

PHOTOS: Fired up De Villiers had aggression on his mind

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 14:25 IST
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Images of some of the shots De Villiers played en route his record-breaking fastest One-Day International century.

AB de Villiers of South Africa reverse sweeps a delivery enroute his record-breaking century during the 2nd ODI between South Africa and West Indies at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday

AB de Villiers of South Africa reverse sweeps a delivery en route his record-breaking century during the second ODI against the West Indies at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday. Photograph: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images

South Africa’s One-Day International skipper AB de Villiers claimed that he had hit the ball better before despite scoring the fastest hundred in the history of ODI cricket in his side's 148-run victory over the West Indies at the Wanderers on Sunday.

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AB de Villiers hits a six during his record-breaking knock against the West Indies on Sunday

AB de Villiers hits a six during his record-breaking knock against the West Indies on Sunday. Photograph: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images

De Villiers said that on the kind of wicket that was on offer, if one is in decent form and swings hard and gets a bit of luck behind him, then one could do amazing things. He added that he had hit the ball better before, believe it or not.

AB de Villiers smashes a six

AB de Villiers smashes a six. Photograph: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images

"I got really fired up in the changing room and sort of played my knock before I even came out to bat," De Villiers said in a television interview.

"Aggression was the main thing for me today -- I just wanted to go right from the start."

AB de Villiers bludgeons the ball for another six

AB de Villiers bludgeons the ball for another six. Photograph: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images

The skipper was at his extravagant best as he bludgeoned his way to 104 from 31 balls to beat the previous fastest century record by five balls. New Zealand's Corey Anderson had held the record, set in January last year also against the West Indies.

However, De Villiers conceded that his record-breaking knock will hold special significance, saying it ranks right up there with one of his best, any world record one has, one has to put it up there, Sport24 reported.

AB de Villiers celebrates on smashing the fastest ever One-day century off just 31 balls

AB de Villiers celebrates on smashing the fastest ever One-day century off just 31 balls. Photograph: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images

The big-hitting batsman added that it's very rare that he goes out there looking to score at a strike rate of 200 from ball one, adding that there are not a lot of games where that happens.

He claimed that he needed a lot of luck on Sunday to get where he did.

AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla celebrate

AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla celebrate. Photograph: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images

South Africa posted the second highest total ever in ODIs with 439 for two in their 50 overs, and the West Indies could only manage 291 for seven in their reply.

De Villiers proved why he is regarded as the world's best batsman, as he put up an unparalleled masterclass display of outrageous strokeplay, including 16 sixes and nine fours in an unforgettable knock at the Bullring.

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