The Six Mighty Sixes

On a record-breaking day for the South Africans who steamrollered the outclassed Dutch by 221 runs, Gibbs became the first player to pile up 36 runs in a one-day international over.After hammering leg spinner Daan Van Bunge back over his head four times and over the ropes on the on-side twice, he also became the third man ever to complete the feat at elite level.India's Ravi Shastri and West Indian Garfield Sobers had achieved the record in first class cricket.

South Africa has knack of setting and breaking world records, don't they? Earlier it was the 434 run chase against Australia, and now this spectacular entertaining display of batting. They wen on to score 350+, in 40 overs, with a run rate exceeding that of the 434 run chase. This is the highest ever world cup total, with the most sixes in an innings, and we have Boucher hitting the fastest world cup fifty. Kallis featured in all three stands, and he hit Van Troost for six with each of the last three balls of the innings. South Africa completed their biggest one-day victory by restricting the Netherlands to a total of 132 for nine in their reply.
Records Records everywhere!

No doubt the Proteas will be amidst celebration in their dressing room, but I can't help sparing a thought for poor Van Bunge. His must be an unimaginable sate of mind. He must be sitting aloof, his team mates and officials avoiding him, leaving him alone to avoid any awkward moments. It is painful to be hit for six sixes in an over, the pain is much more in magnitude than the batsman's ecstasy, and yet the bowler is forgotten in such a situation. Cricket is a batsman's game no doubt.

I am reminded of reading about an Indo Pak final in Sharjah, in 1986, when Miandad hit a six off the last ball of Chetan Sharma when they needed 4 to win. sharma had bowled a low full toss with all good intentions, but Miandad's batting prowess saw Pakistan through. Chetan Sharma's carreer was pulverised after that match. I just hope it doesn't happen with Van Bunge.

On a different note, The `Six Sixes Challenge' had been announced by Vivian Richards before the world cup started, with tournament sponsor Johnnie Walker offering the $1 million to Habitat for Humanity housing projects for the first batsman to hit six sixes in one over at the World Cup.

cheers