The continuing 2023 ODI World Cup match between South Africa and New Zealand saw some fireworks from the bats of Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen on Wednesday (November 1), with the two putting on a massive second-wicket partnership.
De Kock in particular was outstanding, attacking both pacers and spinners to put New Zealand under pressure. He began slowly and played second fiddle to Temba Bavuma, but came into his own as the innings continued before being removed for 114.
With his century, De Kock joined a select group of players who have scored four or more hundreds in a single edition of the men’s ODI World Cup. Some notable names, including as Steve Waugh, David Warner, Matthew Hayden, and Sourav Ganguly, have made three, but few have made more.
On that subject, these are the three men’s ODI World Cup players with the most hundreds in a single tournament.
3. Quinton de Kock – 2023 ODI World Cup – 4 tons
Prior to the 2023 ODI World Cup, Quinton de Kock has played 17 innings in the premier tournament without scoring a century. When it rains, it pours, and the powerful left-hander has four in seven games this year.
De Kock began his season with back-to-back hundreds against Sri Lanka and Australia. Despite failing to score against the Netherlands and England, he bounced back with an astounding 174 against Bangladesh. His outstanding performance against the Blackcaps was his fourth century, propelling him to the top of the run-scoring standings.
De Kock has 545 runs at an average of 77.86 in seven matches for the 2023 World Cup. He is presently the South African with the most runs in a single World Cup edition.
2. Kumar Sangakkara – 2015 ODI World Cup – 4 tons
Kumar Sangakkara’s 2015 ODI World Cupp campaign is legendary. Despite being ousted in the quarterfinals, Sri Lanka was carried to the elimination stages by its senior superstar, who achieved a huge peak toward the conclusion of his career.
Sangakkara scored 46 runs in his first two innings of the competition before letting loose. He finished the league stage with four consecutive century against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, England, and Australia.
In the 2015 World Cup, Sangakkara scored 541 runs with an average of 108.2 and a strike rate of 105.87.
1. Rohit Sharma – 2019 ODI World Cup – 5 tons
Only two batsmen have scored more runs in a single World Cup edition than Rohit Sharma in 2019. He scored 648 runs in nine innings at an average of 81 and a strike rate of 98.33 to help India dominate the league phase.
Needless to say, Rohit surpassed the three-figure barrier on five separate times. The opener began his career with a stunning century against South Africa, followed by a magnificent 140 against Pakistan.
To end out the league stage, Rohit smashed three hundreds in a row against England, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Despite failing to make an impression in the semifinal, his spectacular run in the 2019 World Cup was breathtaking to see.