Andile Phehlukwayo records highest strike in international cricket for a five-ball innings

Andile Phehlukwayo's scintillating innings gave South Africa the boost they needed in the final overs to dominate India in Pink ODI

By: Arun Rawal |
February 12, 2018 11:39 am

South Africa all-rounder Anile Phehlukwayo wreaked havoc on Indian wrist spinners who have been able to dominate batsmen for a better part of the ODI series. Phehlukwayo scored 23 runs from 5 balls and robbed India of a chance to make a comeback in the pink ODI after David Miller’s wicket. His strike rate of 460 is the highest in international cricket for five-ball innings.

Here is the list of players who have outstanding strike rate in five-ball innings —

Player Country Runs Strike Rate
Andile Phehlukwayo (South Africa) 23 runs 460
Kane Williamson (New Zealand) 20 runs 400
Tim Southee (New Zealand) 20 runs 400
Aaron Finch (Australia) 20 runs 400

Phehlukwayo came to bat when South Africa needed 28 runs from 26 balls. Skipper Virat Kohli backed his wrist spinners to deliver once again. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav continued bowling. Phehlukwayo did not leave everything for Heinrich Klassen but took matters in his own hands.

He took a single off the first ball of Chahal’s delivery. In the next over, Kuldeep came in. He tried to bowl short but Phehlukwayo decided to reverse-sweep the ball as there was no one on the offside defending the boundary.

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The pressure was on Indian bowlers and Phehlukwayo took advantage of it. Next ball, he did not care about the spin of the ball and struck the ball against the spin and over long on for a huge six.

Enjoy watching @andileluck19 Phehlukwayo’s spectacular 23 Runs off 5 balls with 3 sixes at 460% Strike Rate. Don’t get it twisted, we don’t lose in #PinkODI RT pic.twitter.com/Nqgk0CNS7N

— Coach Dukes (@produkes) February 10, 2018

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Dominating the Indian spinners, Phehlukwayo decided to deal in boundaries only. He came down the crease and struck the ball back into the stands over Chahal’s head. It was his second six in a row. Next ball, he decided to go with the spin and struck the ball over the deep midwicket boundary for another maximum, finishing the match in style and helping his side continue their winning streak in Pink ODIs.