Share

Gibbs remembers 'greatest ever ODI' 13 years on

Cape Town - On this day, March 12, back in 2006, the Proteas beat Australia in what is still widely considered the greatest ODI of all time.

Who could forget? 

With the five-match series tied at 2-2, the decider was played in front of a packed Wanderers crowd in Johannesburg. 

What followed was a contest that would take its place among the greatest moments world cricket has ever seen. 

Batting first, Australia posted a world record 434/4 from their allotted 50 overs with skipper Ricky Ponting setting the stage alight with a knock of 164 (105).

The Proteas were given absolutely no chance of winning, but Herschelle Gibbs' 175 (111) laid the platform for a result that South African sport will never forget. 

The Proteas got home off the second-last delivery of the match, triumphing by one wicket with Mark Boucher hitting the winning runs.

On Tuesday, respected cricket commentator Kass Naidoo took to Twitter to remember the clash, and Gibbs responded with a message that showed just how much the day meant to him. 

"The atmosphere that day was so surreal," Gibbs wrote.

"Excitement, tension, anticipation and achieving the impossible made it the most sensational game ever."

Gibbs would go on to represent South Africa in 248 ODIs, carding 21 centuries along the way, but that 175 at the Wanderers was easily his finest contribution in Proteas colours. 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
TS Galaxy FC 1
Moroka Swallows 0
loading... Live
Cape Town Spurs FC 0
Richards Bay FC 0
loading... Live
Ulster 0
Benetton 5
loading... Live
Scarlets 6
Sharks 7
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 939 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 456 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE