On This Day In 2007: Exactly 18 years ago, iconic South Africa opener Herschelle Gibbs scripted history during the 2007 ODI World Cup. He achieved a feat so extraordinary that it transcended the boundaries of mere sport to enter the realm of legend. Competing in the West Indies, the Proteas batter became the first cricketer to smash six maximums in an over. The historic moment occurred when South Africa faced the Netherlands on this day in 2007. His 72-run knock also guided the African side to a dominant 221-run victory in the group stage fixture. Gibbs was awarded the Player of the Match for his performance. Herschelle Gibbs registered the feat in the 30th over of the game. Daan van Bunge was bowling for the Netherlands, when the Proteas cricketer displayed his mastery of the game. He hit every ball with precision and timing, a testament to his exceptional hand-eye coordination. While the hapless bowler became a victim of Gibbs’ onslaught, he played a major part in a moment that would be celebrated forever. The South Africa batter remains the first and only player to score six sixes in a 50-over World Cup tournament to date. 6 6 6 6 6 6@hershybru made history at the 2007 CWC, as he smashed 6 sixes in an over for the 1st time in ODI cricket!#ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/JzoK1a1je7 — ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) November 2, 2017 The opening delivery of the over was a loopy leg-spin around the middle and leg. Herschelle Gibbs charged at the ball and hit it into the stands. The next delivery was identical to the first, which saw Gibbs come down the track to hit the ball flat over long-off. Daan van Bunge responded to the Proteas batter’s aggression by bowling the next delivery flat towards outside off. This, however, allowed Gibbs plenty of room to free himself. He sent the ball flying from the middle of the bat over long off to complete a hat trick of sixes. The fourth delivery from Daan van Bunge was a low full toss that Herschelle Gibbs crunched over deep midwicket. The opener resumed his carnage in the next ball, smashing it over wide long off while rocking back quickly. Van Bunge had pulled back the length to land the ball short on the off-stump but still couldn’t catch Gibbs by surprise. The Dutchman next tried to counter his opponent’s attack with a medium pace delivery but bowled it short. Gibbs, like the previous five deliveries, pounced on the ball to smash a sixth consecutive maximum to set the record. 6️⃣ 6️⃣ 6️⃣ 6️⃣ 6️⃣ 6️⃣ #OnThisDay in 2007, Herschelle Gibbs slammed six sixes in an over against Netherlands in the @cricketworldcup ? He scored 72 runs off just 40 balls, as South Africa reached a massive total of 353/3 in just 40 overs 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6kMWT1J1ny — ICC (@ICC) March 16, 2020 Herschelle Gibbs scored a 40-ball 72 to help South Africa post 353/3 in 40 overs before rain interrupted play. The Netherlands, on the other hand, mustered up 132 runs while losing nine wickets during the chase.