Record books smashed as South Africa crush West Indies in World Cup

AB de Villiers scored the second-fastest century ever in a World Cup in a display of brutal hitting Friday, setting South Africa on course for a record-equaling 257-run win over West Indies. De Villiers (pictured above) made an unbeaten 162 off 66 balls, with 17 boundaries and eight sixes, as he dismantled the West Indies’ attack and pushed South Africa to 408-5 — the second-highest total ever at the World Cup. The South Africa skipper reached his century off 52 balls and continued to dominate, helping his team add 80 runs in the last 3.2 overs.

You get into that kind of mode and it doesn’t happen very often and it’s quite a good feeling to sort of feel that you one step ahead of the bowlers.

South Africa skipper AB de Villiers

South Africa’s bowlers were just as punishing, dismissing the West Indies for 151 to equal India’s margin over Bermuda at Trinidad in 2007 as the biggest winning margin in tournament history. Legspinner Imran Tahir took 5-45 to seal the crushing victory for South Africa, a resounding comeback following its meek 130-run loss to defending champions India last weekend. Only West Indies skipper Jason Holder provided any concerted resistance with the bat, scoring 56 in the futile chase as he struggled with a leg injury.

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