Listing South African batters with 7,000-plus runs in ODI cricket
What's the story
Quinton de Kock, South Africa's star wicketkeeper-batter, recently became the fifth player from his country to score over 7,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). The milestone was achieved during the third ODI against Pakistan at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Saturday. De Kock's achievement comes after a successful return to ODIs after reversing his retirement decision for this series. On this note, we look at the Proteas batters with 7,000 or more runs in ODIs.
#5
Quinton de Kock - 7,009 runs
De Kock was in exceptional form throughout the recent series against Pakistan, recording scores worth 63, 123*, and 53. As per ESPNcricinfo, he has played 158 ODI matches so far, scoring 7,009 runs at an average of 46.72 and a strike rate of 96.47. His tally includes 22 centuries and 32 fifties, with a best score of 178. 7,006 of his runs have come as a keeper.
#4
Herschelle Gibbs - 8,094 runs
Herschelle Gibbs is next on the list as the former SA opener ended his ODI career with 8,094 runs at an average of 36.13. His strike rate was an impressive 83.26 across 248 games. Gibbs hit 21 centuries besides 37 fifties in ODI cricket, with his best score being 175. Notably, Gibbs remains the only full-member cricketer to have slammed six sixes in an over in ODIs.
#3
Hashim Amla - 8,113 runs
Hashim Amla is one of the most elegant batters of all time. His timing across conditions stood out in his playing days. Amla, who last played an ODI in 2019, slammed 27 tons, the most for South Africa in the format (HS: 159). In 181 matches, he racked up 8,113 runs at an average of 49.46 and a strike rate of 88.39. His tally also includes 39 half-centuries.
#2
AB de Villiers - 9,427 runs
AB de Villiers, the 360-degree batter, has the second-most runs and centuries for South Africa in ODI cricket. In 223 ODIs, he slammed 9,427 runs at an average of 54.17. His strike rate reads 101.27. The dasher tallied 25 tons and 52 fifties (HS: 176). De Villiers still has the fastest century in ODI cricket. He hammered a ton off 31 balls against West Indies in the 2015 Johannesburg ODI.
#1
Jacques Kallis - 11,150 runs
This elite list is topped by the legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis. In ODI cricket, he scored 11,579 runs across 323 games at an average of 44.36 (SR: 73.13). Kallis crossed the 50-run mark 103 times in the format, as his tally also includes 17 tons (HS: 139). He also ended with 273 ODI wickets at 31.79. Kallis remains the only cricketer to score in excess of 10,000 runs and take 200-plus wickets in both Test and ODIs.