On this day 2007 – South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs creates a world record

At his prime, Herschelle Gibbs was one of the most fearless batsmen in ODI history. Plying his trade for South Africa, he scored over 8000 ODI runs at an average of 36.1 and a strike rate of 83.3. Only three players have achieved the milestone of hitting six sixes in an over in international cricket. The first one to do it was Gibbs, who achieved the feat on this day in 2007.

South Africa were batting first against Netherlands in a group match of the 2007 World Cup. This was a 40-over game due to a rain delay. By the end of 29 overs, the Proteas were 178/2 with Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs batting. In the 30th over, spinner Daan van Bunge came on to bowl the fourth over of his spell. He had conceded 20 runs in his first three overs before this. Van Bunge was smacked all over the park by Gibbs as the explosive batsman hit 6 consecutive sixes off his over. This was the first time in international cricket that a player had hit 6 maximums in a single over.

Bunge expectedly did not bowl any more overs in this match and ended his bowling figures with 0/56 in 4 overs. Gibbs was dismissed in the next over by Luuk van Troost after scoring 72 off 40 . His innings included 4 fours and 7 sixes.

Watch: Gibbs’ six sixes!

South Africa posted 353/3 in 40 overs with Kallis hitting a wonderful century. The prolific all-rounder scored 128 runs off 109 balls with the help of 11 fours and 5 sixes. In the end, Mark Boucher played a quickfire knock of 75 off  31 which included 9 fours and 4 sixes.

Chasing this total, Netherlands never really looked in the game and ended up with only 132/9 in 40 overs. Ryan Ten Doeschate was the highest scorer who played a fine knock of 57 runs off 74 balls including 8 fours and 1 six. Justin Kemp picked up two wickets in his 4 overs giving away 18 runs. Gibbs was adjudged player of the match for his explosive knock and helping South Africa getting ahead in the game.