A batter scoring 20 or 30 runs in a Twenty-20 (T20) game is considered an outstanding achievement. This is because the T20 format is much faster and more rapid, leaving less time for a batter to settle in. Some players convert their 20s and 30s into 50s and higher, which is always viewed as a remarkable and brilliant knock. In the following article, we look at some of South Africa's batters who have scored the most fifties in the game's shortest format.
1. Francois Du Plessis
Francois du Plessis, popularly known as Faf du Plessis, is the first to feature on the list. Plessis was a right-handed middle-order batter from Pretoria. He played his first T20I in 2012 against England at Chester-le-Street. In 50 T20Is, he scored 1528 runs at an average of 35.53 with 11 fifties to his name, which included a hundred as well.
2. Reeza Hendricks
Reeza Hendricks, South Africa’s current right-handed opening batter from Kimberley, Cape Province, is next to appear on the list. Hendricka made his T20I debut in 2014 against Australia and has played 48 matches until now. In 48 T20Is, he has scored 1372 runs at an average of 34.15 with 11 fifties to his name.
3. Quinton De Kock
Third on the list is South Africa’s premier wicketkeeper batter from Johannesburg, Quinton de Kock. De Kock plays as a left-handed opening batter and made his T20I debut in 2012 against New Zealand in Durban. In 69 T20Is so far, he has scored 1894 runs at an average of 31.04, with 11 fifties to his name and the highest score of 79.
4. Jean-paul Dumminy
Next, we have JP Dumminy, a left-handed middle-order batter and a right-arm off-break bowler from Cape Town. Dumminy was one of South Africa’s premier spin-bowling all-rounders alongside Johan Botha. In 81 T20Is, he scored 1934 runs at an impressive average of 38.68, with 11 fifties to his name and the highest score of 96.
5. Abraham Benjamin De Villiers
One cannot complete this list without mentioning Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, popularly known as AB de Villiers and Mister 360. Villiers was given this nickname due to his unique playing style and ability to hit the ball anywhere on the ground. He played for South Africa in 78 T20Is, scoring 1672 runs at a strike rate of 135.16 with ten fifties to his name.
6. Aiden Markram
Next on the list is Aiden Markram, the youngest entrant on the list. Markram is a stylish and dashing right-handed top-order batter from Centurion. He made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka at Centurion in 2019 and has played 23 matches until now. In 23 matches, he has scored 722 runs at an average of 42.47 with eight fifties to his name.
7. Rassie Van Der Dussen
Rassie Van Der Dussen, South Africa’s newest batting star, is next to come up on the list. He is a right-handed batter from Pretoria and is capable of batting at any position or in any situation. In 2018, he played his first T20I against Zimbabwe. In 41 T20Is until now, he has scored 1044 runs at an average of 36 and has seven half centuries to his name.
8. Hashim Amla
At number eight, we have a South African veteran and one of their best batters ever, Hashim Amla. Amla featured in his first T20I in 2009 against Australia at Brisbane. He played in 41 T20Is for South Africa until 2018, scoring 1158 runs at an average of 32.16 with seven half centuries to his name.
9. David Miller
Number nine on the list is David Miller, a left-handed middle-order batter and one of South Africa’s premier finishers in white-ball cricket. Miller made his T20I debut in 2010 against the West Indies. He has scored 1,944 runs in 101 T20Is so far at an average of 32.40 and a strike rate of 142. He has six fifties to his name, which also includes a hundred.
10. Jacques Kallis
Last, we have Jacques Kallis, one of the greatest players to play the game and the most successful fast bowling all-rounder in cricket. In 2005, he played his first T20I against New Zealand in Johannesburg. He featured in 25 T20Is for South Africa, scoring 666 runs, including five fifties at an average of 35.05.
