5 fastest half-centuries at the ICC Cricket World Cup

#5 Mark Boucher (South Africa) - 22 balls vs West Indies, St George’s 2007

Hosts West Indies were playing their 5th match of the Super Eight stage of the 2007 Cricket World Cup against South Africa with their backs against the wall. In the 4 previous matches, they had won only against Ireland and were in desperate need of a victory to strengthen their chances of sneaking into the Top 4. South Africa, on the other hand, had other plans.

Mark Boucher is a veteran of the South African cricket team.

Batting first, SA were riding high on AB de Villiers’ fine century in the company of the experienced Jacques Kallis. The duo added 170 runs for the second wicket, a partnership that more or less defined the South Africans’ dominance over the West Indies. After Kallis, it was time for Herschelle Gibbs to flex his muscles and smash a few boundaries, ably supporting De Villiers. De Villiers’ departure on the first ball of the 44th over allowed the hosts some much-needed breathing space and the opportunity to regroup as a unit.

With the scoreboard reading 261/3, Mark Boucher almost immediately eliminated even the slightest possibility of an anti-climactic finish in resounding fashion. A fine flick off the pads of the bowling of Corey Collymore got things underway for Boucher. After rotating the strike for the next few deliveries, Boucher unleashed an onslaught, smashing Ian Bradshaw for 2 fours and a six in the 47th over. Consecutive sixes on the first 2 deliveries and a maximum on the last ball of the 49th over by Boucher ensured that he got to his fifty off just 22 balls. SA managed 356/4 in their quota of 50 overs and won the match by 67 runs.