Who was the first batsman to score an ODI century against South Africa?
(24 October 2001)

South Africa's first fixtures in international cricket were a series of three one-day internationals in India. The first two matches were won by the home team; the visitors, going into the third game in New Delhi, had only pride to play for.

India, batting first, quickly gained the upper hand. Ravi Shastri and Krishnamachari Srikkanth put up an 86-run opening partnership, the latter hitting 53 off only 61 balls. Sanjay Manjrekar, coming in at the fall of the first wicket, might have been expected to consolidate the position and merely settle for rotating the strike, a role for which he was perfectly suited.

Instead, Manjrekar continued where Srikkanth left off; leaving Shastri to hold one end up, he attacked the South African bowlers with gusto, so much so that, when he departed finally with the score at 261, he had outpaced his partner to the century mark, making 105 off just 82 balls with eight fours and two sixes. Not only did he enable India to reach the final total of 287 for four, but he also became the first person to score a one-day international century against South Africa.

Incidentally, India went on to lose that match by eight wickets; Kepler Wessels hit 90 off 105 balls, Peter Kirsten a sparkling 86* off 92 balls and Adrian Kuiper an unbeaten 63 off just 41 balls. South Africa won the contest comfortably, overhauling India's total in just 46.4 overs.

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