South Africa’s Jordan Hermann wrote his name into ODI history on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, when he struck 150 runs off 126 balls while opening the batting in the first ODI against Namibia at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. The 24-year-old left-hander became only the second batter ever to reach 150 in a debut ODI innings, drawing level with a mark that had stood since February 2025.
That benchmark belonged to his Proteas teammate Matthew Breetzke, who posted 150 off 148 balls when he made his own ODI debut on February 10, 2025, facing New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Hermann and Breetzke now stand alone at the summit of this particular record, the only two players in the format’s history to have scored 150 runs in their very first ODI appearance.
Hermann’s stay ended when Ruben Trumpelmann dismissed him on the fifth delivery of the 42nd over. Had he scored just one more run and taken his tally to 151, he would have broken the world record outright. Instead, 150 was enough to ensure South Africa held both top positions on the all-time list.
How did Hermann construct his landmark innings?
Hermann was positive from the outset, hammering 17 fours and three sixes during his 126-ball stay. His aggression was matched by smart partnership building, which gave the Proteas a commanding platform in what is the first-ever ODI bilateral series between South Africa and Namibia.
The second-wicket stand proved the most influential. Hermann and Tony de Zorzi, batting at number three, put on 190 runs off 166 balls together, with de Zorzi contributing 72 off 84 balls before departing. Hermann then combined with Dewald Brevis for a 59-run third-wicket partnership off just 45 balls, Brevis finishing on 33 off 28 balls. By the time Trumpelmann ended his innings in the 42nd over, Hermann had already laid the foundation for a sizeable total for the visitors.
Where does Hermann’s 150 sit in the all-time highest scores on ODI debut?
With Hermann’s effort, South Africa now occupy the top two places in the list of highest individual scores on ODI debut. West Indies great Desmond Haynes sits third after his knock of 148 off 136 balls against Australia in St John’s on February 22, 1978, a total that remained the outright record for nearly five decades before Breetzke surpassed it in Lahore in 2025.
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Highest score on ODI debut:
150 – Jordan Hermann vs Nam, Windhoek, 2026
150 – Matthew Breetzke vs NZ, Lahore, 2025
148 – Desmond Haynes vs Aus, St John’s, 1978
127 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Ire, Abu Dhabi, 2021
124* – Mark Chapman vs USA, Dubai, 2015
124 – Colin Ingram vs Zim, Bloemfontein, 2010
