De Villiers scripts rare record; is first player to score 12 consecutive Test half-centuries

South Africa batsman AB de Villiers became the first player in the history of Test cricket to score a half-century in 12 consecutive Tests after he crossed 50 in the first innings on the opening day of the second Test against Australia, at St George's Park, on Thursday.

De Villiers, South Africa's ODI team captain,  is now the sole owner of a unique batting record in Test cricket that has stood for almost four decades.

The wicketkeeper-batsman was 51 not out at stumps on Day 1, having reached the milestone with a boundary through the leg side off part-time spinner 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.

According to News.com.au, 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 scoring 91 in the first dig and 48 in the second.

De Villiers's incredible streak stretches all the way back to December 2012, when he scored a breathtaking 169 at the WACA ground to help the Proteas clinch a series victory. 

Since then he has passed 50 in every Test he played. 

Photograph: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images