Matthew Breetzke Becomes First Cricketer to Score 50+ in First Four ODI Matches. South African batter Matthew Breetzke achieved a remarkable feat on Friday, August 22, during the second ODI against Australia at The Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay. By scoring a half-century in the first innings, Breetzke became the first cricketer in history to register four 50+ scores in his first four ODI matches.
The 26-year-old made his ODI debut in February 2025 against New Zealand, where he impressed with a brilliant 150-run innings. He followed it up with 83 runs against Pakistan in his second match and scored 57 in the opening ODI of the current series against Australia.
With this latest fifty, Matthew Breetzke broke the record previously held by former Indian batter Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had four 50+ scores in his first five ODI career games. Sidhu, however, did not bat in his third match; his four fifties came across the first, second, fourth, and fifth ODIs.
Matthew Breetzke: Aiden Markram is captaining South Africa in the second ODI against Australia.
In the absence of regular skipper Temba Bavuma—rested to manage a hamstring issue—Markram is leading the Proteas. After electing to bat first, the visitors posted 277 all out, with Matthew Breetzke (88) and Tristan Stubbs (74) registering fine half-centuries.
South Africa currently lead the series 1-0 after a commanding 98-run victory in the first ODI. In that match, half-centuries from Markram, Bavuma, and Breetzke powered the Proteas to 296/8 before their bowlers dismissed Australia for 198. Keshav Maharaj starred with the ball, bagging a five-wicket haul.
Meanwhile, Matthew Breetzke has made an outstanding start to his ODI career—amassing 378 runs, including four half-centuries, in just his first four matches. The 25-year-old has also featured in two Tests and 10 T20Is for South Africa.
