March 12, 2006. It was a day when the bat dominated the ball completely. Australia had just piled up 434/4 in an ODI vs South Africa. But what was amazing was that South Africa had chased it down!
Yes a milestone broken and a new world record set. No team had amassed 400-plus in ODIs and the Aussies had done it. But South Africa won by 1 wicket to set a new record for the highest successful chase and also clinch the series 3-2.
AFP
Ricky Ponting's 164 in the first innings was overshadowed by another knock. Herschelle Gibbs produced a carnage which was rarely seen till then.
The Protean opener did not bother to settle in. Despite losing AB de Villiers early, Gibbs went into beast mode and the ball left his blade consistently headed for the boundary.
What made his innings even more special was the fact that he was battling a hangover. Yes, despite being disoriented, the man was batting at a whole new level as he carted the bowlers all over the park.
The entertainment eventually came to an end with the team's score on 299. He was the 4th wicket to fall in the 32nd over. Out of the 299, Gibbs had 175 to his name. The 111-ball knock contained 21 fours and 7 sixes. Had he stayed longer, there is no doubt we would have seen the first ever ODI 200. We did get to see it 4 years later when Sachin Tendulkar scripted history vs South Africa, but Gibbs certainly had time at his hand.
The South Africans won in the final over and it was a day to remember. For Gibbs, this was clearly the highlight of a career which has seen some brilliant performances with the bat.
Even now 12 years that match, that innings and that moment in history are well remembered. South Africa have been traditionally called chokers but on that day, it was Australia's turn to bite the dust.