Exclusive: Record-Breaking ODI Debut Puts Matthew Breetzke on Proteas Radar

Once in a blue moon, life throws unexpected opportunities your way and for the 26-year-old South African batter Matthew Breetzke, that opportunity came just before the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.

Despite his immense talent and numbers in domestic T20 cricket all around the world or his sparkling First-Class career returns over the past few years, Breetzke would have been a distance away from breaking into the Proteas One Day International side.

Breetzke's record-breaking ODI debut

However, when the tri-nations series between South Africa, Pakistan and New Zealand clashed with the playoffs stage of the SA20, South Africa's limited-overs coach Rob Walter came knocking on Breetzke's door, and boy did the young batter answer the call in style!

On debut, he blasted 150 runs, beating Desmond Haynes's 47-year-old record by three runs to record the highest-ever individual score in an ODI debut.

Breetzke followed up the century with a brilliant 83 against Pakistan, proving to Walter and captain Temba Bavuma that he is one for the future.

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, Breetzke described his ODI debut as being special.

"It was a special moment. Anytime I play for South Africa is very special but to top it off with some good scores and contribute, that was amazing," he told SportsBoom.co.za. 

I hadn't had a great start in One Day cricket but I've done well in white ball cricket in terms of t20 cricket all around the world. So, I've always had the confidence and I know how to score runs.

"It helped that it was on a good wicket and that I was batting in an ideal batting position. The more I play for the Proteas, the more confident I get. Hopefully, I get a good run."

List A career before ODI debut

Before that tri-nations series, Breetzke had only one century in his List A career as he seemed to struggle to produce big scores in the format, a feat he was able to produce in the other two formats.

"I batted in different positions so that was always tricky. So, I never really got a good run but I think I was always confident in one-day cricket that I was going to score a hundred in Pakistan," the 26-year-old reflected.

Breaking into the full-strength ODI Squad

With the Proteas top-order filled with established internationals including Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, it is going to be difficult for Breetzke and any of the up-and-coming batters to break into the ODI team.

In Breetzke's case, following that impressive debut ODI series in Pakistan, he knows what Rob Walter is asking for from him to break into the ODI team.

"That team has really good players. The conversation (with Rob Walter) was to keep scoring runs and putting pressure on them (established players)."

"The more I play, the better I'm getting. In my mind, there's no reason why I can't put any of those big guys under pressure. If I keep putting in performances, I do believe that I have what it takes to perform at that level consistently."

"I just need to go and score more runs. With the quality that they have in that lineup, I'm going to have to keep working hard and knocking the door down because that is definitely somewhere I want to be and all my work will be going into playing for South Africa."