A.B. de Villiers smashes quickest century on Australian soil in huge Proteas victory

There is still another month left in the World Cup, but it will take a mighty effort to top this entry from A.B. de Villiers for the innings of the tournament.

After starting their campaign in unconvincing fashion, the Proteas indicated they remain one of the teams to beat for international cricket's biggest prize with a 257-run annihilation of the West Indies.

It was the greatest margin by runs in World Cup history, equal with India's crushing of Bermuda in 2007, and equal fourth in the ODI game.

Six weeks after crunching the fastest century in the history of ODI cricket, De Villiers smashed the quickest ton on Australian soil, blasting an unbeaten 162 runs off 66 balls.

His blitzkrieg propelled the Proteas to a gargantuan 5-408 from their 50 overs, the first time the 400-barrier has been broken in this country.

Faced with mission impossible, the Windies capitulated to be all out for a pathetic 151, with Imran Tahir taking a career-best 5-45.

New Zealand captain Martin Crowe had accused de Villiers of being "sloppy" since his 31-ball ton last month but the Proteas captain is well and truly back.

He is a man at the peak of his powers. His 360-degree game makes him nigh on unstoppable when in full flight. He now owns the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in the 50-over game and second fastest century in World Cup cricket.

Much has been about the size of modern bats, but even if de Villiers was batting with a stump the Windies bowlers, who conceded a 31-ball century to him last month, would still find the sweet spot.

De Villiers' final 147 runs came off 51 balls, his last 67 off 16 and final 30 off five.

Jason Holder copped the brunt of the punishment, conceding 64 runs from his final two overs, including a 34-run over – the second most in a World Cup game.

The Windies' youngest captain finished with the sad figures of 1-104 from his 10 overs, the fifth most runs conceded by a bowler in ODI history and the second most in a World Cup – behind New Zealand's Martin Snedden, who gave up 105 from 12 overs in 1983. He rebounded to top-score with 56 in the Windies' doomed chase.

But it's doubtful any bowler would have been able to stop de Villiers in this mood.

Full pitched balls were deposited over the bowler's head and over the wicketkeeper. Full tosses on or near off were heaved over square, straight down the ground and through cover. One was even reverse swept for four. No part of the pitch, or boundary, appeared safe.

De Villiers was dropped twice, on 127 and 131, though the crowd did not complain.

His masterpiece overshadowed fine half-centuries from Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw. Rossouw, a last-minute inclusion for the injured J.P. Duminy, outpaced de Villiers early.

While it remains to be seen whether De Villiers can reproduce the goods in a cut-throat game, this innings came with the Proteas slightly wobbly after Chris Gayle removed Amla and du Plessis in the space of three balls.

Such was the Windies' confidence, the mighty de Villiers was welcomed to the crease with a Test match field – a slip, silly mid-off and leg slip. It proved highly optimistic.