By Nick Butler

AB De Villiers hit the fastest 150 in cricketing history against the West Indies ©AFP/Getty ImagesAB De Villiers produced one of the most sensational innings in cricket history today, hitting an unbeaten 162 from just 66 balls as his South African side crushed West Indies by a mammoth 257 runs in their latest World Cup match in Sydney.


De Villiers took just 64 balls to reach 150, beating the previous one day international record of Australia's Shane Watson by 19 balls, with his innings featuring 17 fours and eight sixes. 

It contributed to a total score of 408-5, the second highest total in World Cup history and one that was always going to be too much for the opposition to chase down.

Remarkably, this South African innings had been relatively lacklustre at one stage, with the team labouring at 87-1 after 20 overs, and at 146-3 after 30 overs.

De Villiers, supported by a 39 ball 61 from Rilee Rossouw, as well as half centuries from Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, then helped his team score 222 from the last 15 overs, with his 73 from the last five another record.

"I had some stomach problems last night, I didn't eat much and had a very rough night," he said afterwards.

"But the doctor gave me an injection and I was on my way.

"The credit must go to the guys up front for setting a base, Rilee [Rossouw] inspired me a bit with his effort and that affected how I played.

"After timing a few I got the momentum behind me."

AB De Villiers hit one of eight sixes during his magnificent innings ©AFP/Getty ImagesAB De Villiers hit one of eight sixes during his magnificent innings ©AFP/Getty Images





The 31-year-old continues a remarkable run of recent form, particularly when facing the West Indies, against whom he hit the fastest-ever one day international hundred, from just 31 balls, in Johannesburg last month.

In response the West Indies crumbled to 151 all out, with Imran Tahir taking 5-45, to equal the heaviest runs defeat in World Cup history.

Chris Gayle managed just three runs, days after he scored the first World Cup double century against Zimbabwe, while West Indies captain Jason Holder's suffered the ignominy of his last two overs conceding 64 runs.

His figures of 1-104 off 10 overs were the most expensive in World Cup history.

Tomorrow sees a big match in Pool A as co-hosts Australia and New Zealand face off in Auckland, while India will take on the United Arab Emirates in Perth in Pool B.