NEW DELHI: South African batter Matthew Breetzke, currently riding on red-hot form, admits he is slightly worried that the position of success he finds himself in might only head downhill from here. In the second ODI against England, Breetzke extended his dream run by becoming the first player to register fifty-plus scores in each of his first five ODIs. He dismantled England’s bowling attack with powerful strokeplay, scoring 85 off 77 deliveries to guide South Africa to a formidable 330/8.His innings proved decisive as the Proteas edged past England by five runs to seal an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Following his recent heroics, Breetzke now averages 92.60 in ODIs, with previous scores of 150, 83, 57, and 88.Breetzke jokingly admitted that after his “special start,” the only way left might be down. While he hopes his fairytale run continues, he rued missing the chance to feature on the Lord’s honours board, falling just 15 runs short of a century.“Very happy, tricky at the start, thought a good score was 280. It was a bit of old-school cricket at the start, batsmanship… read the conditions then score at the back end. It’s been good so far [five ODI fifties in a row], hope it continues!,” Breetzke said.“It’s a bit worrying: it can only go downhill for me. It’s been a special start, to be honest. I’ve played on some really good wickets, and I just hope and pray that it’ll continue to go the way it’s gone… To be honest, I was bleak not to get to a hundred, because it would’ve been cool to be on the [honours] board,” he added.The 26-year-old admitted fatigue is natural given cricket’s hectic schedule, but said he remains focused on the bigger picture. “It does get to you sometimes. But for me, I just look at it like I’m so grateful to be playing a sport for a living. I just try to take every opportunity I get and try to make the most of it. It doesn’t last forever.”With South Africa sealing their first ODI series win in England since 1998, Breetzke said the team plans to celebrate if they sweep the series 3-0 in Southampton on Sunday.He believes the team’s growing confidence stems from their historic World Test Championship final win against Australia at the same venue, adding:“It starts at the top with [head coach] Shukri Conrad… He’s very clear on what he wants and there’s no grey area.”
