Fastest century in international cricket

South African captain AB de Villiers smashed a 31-ball hundred in a One-Day International (ODI) against the West Indies at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, on 18 January 2015. The record-shattering knock featured eight fours and 11 sixes and saw the number three batsman reach three figures five balls quicker than the 36 balls it took New Zealand's Corey Anderson to register an international ton, also against the West Indies in an ODI, on New Year's Day 2014. De Villiers also established a record for the fastest ODI fifty, reaching the landmark in just 16 balls to beat Sanath Jayasuriya's 17-ball ODI half-century against Pakistan in Singapore on 7 April 1996. De Villiers was dismissed for 149 (44 balls, 59 minutes) two balls before the end of South Africa's 50-over innings, after striking nine fours and 16 sixes. His tally of sixes equalled Rohit Sharma's (India) record for the most sixes in an ODI/international innings, set during his innings of 209 (the third highest individual knock in an ODI) against Australia on 2 November 2013.

South Africa's total of 439 for 2 (50 overs) was the second highest team score in ODI history, falling just four runs short of Sri Lanka's 50-over total of 443 for 9 against the Netherlands at VRA Ground, Amstelveen, Netherlands, on 4 July 2006.

With Hashim Amla's 153 not out and Rilee Rossouw's 128, South Africa became the first team in ODI history to boast three centurions in one innings.

After De Villiers' heroics it meant that, as of 18 January 2015, the second-, third- and fourth-highest ODI team totals had all been achieved at New Wanderers Stadium. On 12 March 2006, South Africa (438 for 9 off 49.5 overs) beat Australia (434 for 4 off 50 overs) by one wicket at the Johannesburg venue.

Unsurprisingly, South Africa (439 for 2) beat the West Indies (291 for 7) by 148 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.

By comparison...

Fastest Twenty20 International hundred: 45 balls, Richard Levi (South Africa), 19 February 2012

Fastest Twenty20 International fifty: 12 balls, Yuvraj Singh (India), 19 September 2007

Fastest Test hundred: 56 balls, Viv Richards (West Indies), 15 April 1986; Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan), 2 November 2014

Fastest Test fifty: 21 balls, Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan), 2 November 2014

Highest ODI score (team): 443 for 9, Sri Lanka, 4 July 2006

Most sixes in a Twenty20 International: 14, Aaron Finch (Australia), 29 August 2013

Most sixes in a Test: 12, Wasim Akram (Pakistan), 19-20 October 1996

The fastest hundred in professional cricket was achieved by Chris Gayle (Jamaica), who racked up a ton off just 30 balls playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League on 23 April 2013. Gayle was, incidentally, one of de Villiers' opponents at New Wanderers Stadium.

Trivia: Pretoria-born Abraham Benjamin de Villiers scored his first ODI hundred on 10 April 2007, in his 37th innings. His record-breaking 149 was his 19th ODI ton and his highest score in the format.

Hashim Amla (South Africa): "He [De Villiers] said he was going to have a look for one over but hit his first six balls for 24. He is an amazing player."

Michael Vaughan (former England captain): "Have to say AB de Villiers is the definition of a cricketing genius. Absolutely incredible."

Bob Willis (former England fast bowler): "AB de Villiers' record ODI hundred off 31 balls could make him the best batsman of all time. This guy is something extraordinary."

Aakash Chopra (former India batsman): "I demand a DNA test of AB De Villiers - this game is only for humans."