CAPE TOWN – “Of course I was trying to go for the six sixes in an over,” JP Duminy chirped after his record-breaking 37 runs in a single over on Wednesday evening.
The Cape Cobras captain was in a belligerent mood at Newlands, lashing Knights leg-spinner Eddie Leie for 6-6-6-6-2-5nb-6 - a feat that eclipsed Herschelle Gibbs’ national record of 36 runs in one over.
However, Gibbs remains the only South African to smash every ball for six like he did that famous day at St Kitts during the 2007 World Cup. Duminy was on course to match Gibbs’ feat after Leie’s first four balls were all despatched onto the Oaks grass embankment, but the leg-spinner drifted his fifth delivery wide outside the off stump which was slapped for just two runs.
“It is not every day you get the opportunity, so of course I was trying to go for the six sixes in an over,” Duminy, who finished unbeaten on 70 off just 37 balls, said.
“(I) initially though it was all about the bonus point. I looked up at the scoreboard and we needed 35 with fours overs still to go to get the bonus point, so I just decided to take Eddie on.
“I was striking the ball really cleanly, and when the first two went for six, I figured I might as well give it a full go now because regardless whether I get out we would still have secured the bonus point. It was enjoyable.”
Of course I was trying to go for the six sixes in an over, chirped JP Duminy. Photo: Yusuf Maged/BackpagePix
Duminy’s onslaught was a statement of intent from the Cobras.
Throughout the season the skipper and coach Ashwell Prince have been talking about playing “the perfect game”.
Although the Knights are languishing at the bottom of the One-Day Cup standings, they still possess the quality of Proteas David Miller and Duanne Olivier and a host of seasoned franchise players in their team.
The visitors, though, were despatched by a complete performance by a Cobras team that is approaching their peak as the business end of the competition looms.
“We have been involved in a couple of close games recently. All the time we have felt that there is still a little more to give, in all departments, and on Wednesday evening everything just clicked,” Duminy said.
“Our new-ball bowlers have been outstanding with Rors (Rory Kleinveldt) and Patto (Dane Paterson) putting us on the front foot in almost every powerplay, and then Pieter (Malan) and Temba (Bavuma) took the wind out of their sails with a solid opening partnership that allowed myself and Simon (Khomari) to express ourselves later on.”
The Cobras have another busy weekend ahead with the Lions visiting Boland Park today before the return match against the Knights at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Sunday.