South Africa's Quinton de Kock became the first batsman at this World Cup to score 500 runs, when he achieved the feat against New Zealand in Pune on Wednesday.
The left-handed opener also reached his 21st career one-day international ton off 103 balls with eight fours and three sixes. He brought up his century with a huge six off Jimmy Neesham as the Proteas reached 205-1 in 36 overs.
During his 114 versus the Kiwis on Wednesday, the left-hander never looked under any sort of pressure and stitched a massive 200-run stand with Rassie van der Dussen for the second wicket. He fell for an impressive 116-ball 114, laced with 10 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 98.28.
The left-hander's form has ensured the Proteas some huge totals, especially while batting first. De Kock has used all his IPL experience to flourish in the showpiece event in India and looks determined to add more to his run-tally in the mega competition.
De Kock has now joined an exclusive club, becoming only the third player in the history of the tournament to score four centuries in a single edition. The other two cricketers to achieve this remarkable feat were Kumar Sangakkara during the 2015 edition in Australia and Rohit Sharma during the 2019 tournament in England.
De Kock also made 100 against Sri Lanka, 109 in the game with Australia and 174 in the victory over Bangladesh. The 30-year-old player maintains an outstanding average of over 85 in this World Cup.
Meanwhile, the left-handed opener needed 69 more runs to reach the 500-run landmark when the Proteas were sent into bat in Pune.
And having completed a 62-ball fifty, including three fours and two sixes, De Kock broke through the 500-run barrier with a legside boundary off recalled paceman Tim Southee.
At that stage, South Africa were 154-1 off 29 overs.
De Kock's latest innings followed scores of 109 against Australia and 174 against Bangladesh, with South Africa having lost just one of their six games at the tournament so far.
