Sean Williams’s Historic Run of Form in ODI Cricket
Zimbabwe’s veteran cricketer, Sean Williams, has been in sensational form during the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, achieving one of the greatest runs of form in ODI history. Williams has recorded three centuries in just five innings, accumulating a staggering 532 runs in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023.
With scores of 174, 102*, 91, and 23 in addition to his recent knock of 142 against Oman, Williams has secured the third-highest total runs in five consecutive ODI innings. This achievement places him in elite company, with only Virat Kohli (596 runs) and Babar Azam (537 runs) ahead of him in this remarkable feat.
Williams’s Impact on Zimbabwe’s World Cup Aspirations
Williams’s exceptional form has played a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s journey towards qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India. His outstanding contributions have propelled the team towards the brink of securing a spot in the showcase event later this year.
While Williams’s performance has been exceptional, he is not the only player making waves at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Teammate Sikandar Raza, Sri Lanka’s spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, and Netherlands’ surprise package Logan van Beek have also made significant contributions, breaking records and putting their respective teams in contention for a spot at the upcoming World Cup.
Several records have been shattered during the tournament in Zimbabwe. Sikandar Raza’s century off 54 balls against Netherlands became the fastest century by a Zimbabwean batter in ODIs, surpassing Sean Williams’s previous record of a century off 70 balls against Nepal. Raza also equaled Brendan Taylor’s record of hitting eight sixes in a Zimbabwe innings.
Noteworthy Achievements
In addition to his remarkable form, Sean Williams achieved several significant milestones. He recorded his highest score in ODIs and now holds the third-highest individual score for Zimbabwe.
Williams’s innings against the USA also saw him hit the most boundaries (five sixes and 21 fours) by a Zimbabwean batter in an ODI innings. Furthermore, he has now secured the second-most ODI centuries for Zimbabwe, trailing only Brendan Taylor.
Apart from Williams, Sikandar Raza became the eighth Zimbabwe batter to reach 4,000 ODI runs, while Williams himself joined the exclusive club of players with 4,500 ODI runs.
Moreover, Zimbabwe’s victory over the USA by a massive 304 runs stands as the second-largest victory margin in terms of runs, surpassed only by India’s 317-run triumph over Sri Lanka earlier this year.