Gibbs, 6 Sixes, Johnie Walker

Herschelle Gibbs smashed his way into World Cup history when he hit six sixes in one over in a match against the Netherlands. The South African batsman became only the third man ever to achieve the feat in first class cricket and the first in the World Cup by hitting Dutch leg spinner Daan van Bunge back over his head four times and over the ropes on the on side twice to become the first player to achieve the feat in one-day cricket.


Lets have a total recall on a ball-by-ball basis:





29.1 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Violence! Gibbs charged down the track and hoicked it over long on. Look at the expression of the wicketkeeper as it changes ball-by-ball.













29.2 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Murder! Van Bunge bowled the second delivery around the middle and leg stump, but Gibbs was equal to the task. The right-hander made a bit of room, and sent the ball soaring high over the long-off fence.

29.3 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Carnage! The Dutch leg-spinner, who has played 21 one-dayers, bowled the third delivery a bit flatter in a bid to stop Gibbs lofting. But it hardly made any difference as Gibbs once again cleared the long-off fence with complete ease.

29.4 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Wah Wah! Even before the cheers from the stands had died down, Gibbs had no problems despatching the fourth delivery, which was on the leg side. A tempting low full toss disappeared past the midwicket fence as English umpire Mark Benson raised his arms yet again.

29.5 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX.24-year-old Van Bunge, by now, seemed completely helpless and amazed. He pitched the fifth delivery a bit shorter in length. But Gibbs, equal to the task, rocked back and pulled him straight back over long-off. By now there was a general feeling around the Warner Park that Gibbs could achieve the feat of six sixes in an over.









29.6 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, He has done it!And finally the moment arrived. The entire South African team was on it's feet and Gibbs did not disappoint. He hit the sixth delivery over the deep midwicket boundary to etch his name in the annals of cricketing history. For the first time in international cricket, a batsman had scored six sixes in an over.







Gibbs's fireworks was worth $1million to charity after World Cup sponsor Johnnie Walker promised to donate the sum if a player hit six sixes in an over during the tournament. Shortly before presumably considering filing for bankruptcy, the whisky company, Johnnie Walker, announced it was "absolutely delighted by the inspirational and pioneering feat that was today realised by Herschelle Gibbs". Apparently they "couldn't be more thrilled with donating US$1 million to Habitat for Humanity in our efforts to enrich the Caribbean community", and offered their "sincere congratulations for this amazing accomplishment".

Courtesy : http://www.rediff.com , http://www.cricinfo.com