South Africa fell five runs short of breaking the world record for the highest ever one-day international total during their 50 overs against the West Indies in Johannesburg this morning.
However, the hosting Proteas did break a host of records on their way to posting a total of 439-2.
Twenty-five-year-old Rilee Rossouw scored 128 runs alongside Hashim Amla, who between them posted South Africa's highest ever score (247) from an opening partnership.
When Rossouw was caught by Sulieman Benn, that brought AB de Villiers to the crease and the right-hander went on to score the fastest half-century of all time, taking him just 16 deliveries to do so.
His century came after 31 balls - another ODI record, while up the other end Amla went beyond the 150 mark.
Hunting the world record, set by Sri Lanka in 2006 against the Netherlands when they scored 443-9, De Villiers was caught in the deep by Jonathan Carter on 149.
That left Amla (153*) to score five runs from the final two deliveries to claim the record, but he was unable to reach that target. Nevertheless, 439 is a new South African record, which leaves the touring West Indies the task of scoring 440 runs to level up the series at one win apiece.
Liam Apicella
