De Villiers becomes first player in Test history to make 50 in 12 consecutive Tests

Port Elizabeth: South African batsman and ODI captain AB de Villiers has become the first player in the history of Test cricket to make a half-century in 12 consecutive Tests after he passed 50 in the first innings of the opening day of second Test against Australia at St George`s Park on Thursday.

De Villiers is now the sole owner of a unique record for batting in Test cricket that has stood for almost four decades.

According to News.com.au, the wicketkeeper-batsman was on 51 not out at stumps on day one in Port Elizabeth, having reached the milestone with a boundary through the leg side off the part-time spin of Steve Smith.

De Villiers reportedly went ahead of the record that he previously shared with three other players- West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards and former India opening partners Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.

Although his teammates struggled to deal with Mitchell Johnson on a pace-friendly Centurion pitch during the first Test, de Villiers was completely unflustered and essentially got himself out in both innings of that match after making 91 in the first dig and 48 in the second, the report further said.

De Villiers` incredible streak stretches all the way back to December 2012 when the South African made a breathtaking 169 at the WACA Ground to help the Proteas clinch a series victory and since then he has passed 50 in every Test he has played, the report added.