Herschelle Gibbs' 175 - The Greatest ODI innings of all time – Opinion
The highest score by an individual in ODI cricket is 219 by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Sehwag-c2739 of India against a lowly West Indian outfit at Indore. Fair enough, the world record had been broken back then and Sehwag deserved all the praise. Yet the question remains as to
whether that innings was played in a pressure cooker situation where every boundary was crucial to the cause? Surely not, and with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028, all registering some
of the highest scores in ODI cricket, it is fair to say that not one of those feats came about when the chips were down and a humiliating defeat was at stake.
The innings that stands out in terms of the taxing conditions, the precarious situation at hand and the array of top quality bowlers to tackle, was undoubtedly http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HH-Gibbs-c1549’s 175 that he smashed against Australia at Johannesburg in 2006. That innings
was the highlight of a record breaking match which was hailed as the best ODI game to have ever been played by many erudite observers. Gibbs gave it his all in that game as he belted the Australian bowlers all around the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bull-c48831 Ring. Despite his initial burst,
it was speculated that South Africa would fall short and his effort would be futile. Gibbs went a step further and pulled off something quite special. Not many had anticipated where this innings came from, and had to pinch themselves over what they had witnessed
at the ground or on their television sets.
It was a game of nerves and wit, power and precision. With the series square at two all, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 won the toss in the fifth ODI and elected to bat first. The Australians compiled a massive 434 in fifty overs which was the highest score in ODI cricket prior
to South Africa’s reply. The Australian captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 at the same ground by helping himself to 164 runs. For South Africa however, the ignominy of conceding that many runs in one
game was further compounded by the loss of their opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Boeta-Dippenaar-c1178 in the second over. South Africa was up against it and everyone wrote them off. In walked Herschelle Gibbs and the script changed so dramatically that no one expected a Grey Hound to win
the London Derby. Gibbs did just that and did it with some style.
What followed his arrival was an array of top quality shots being played with impunity. Boundaries started to flow with utmost ease as South Africa galloped to 190 in just 22 overs for the loss of just one wicket. Along with captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GC-Smith-c1473, Gibbs staged
a partnership of 187 runs for the second wicket to get his side back into the game and seriously challenge Australia’s tall order. Even then, it seemed as if South Africa were looking to achieve the unthinkable. It wasn’t to be as fast bowlers were being swept
for sixes and spinners were taken apart by Gibb’s bat. The Power Play overs only acted as an invitation for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gibbs-c60021 to unleash strokes of sheer ferocity and precision. If there was a half volley on offer he would drive it for six and if there was a decent delivery,
it would still rocket to the fence along the ground. The game changed, the multicolored flags began to flutter in Joburg and the entire world stood up to appreciate his innings.
When Gibbs got dismissed his side was on course to conduct the greatest run chase in the history of the game. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757’s choker tag was briefly thrown away and the Proteas won the greatest game ever.
It seemed as if the script was written in the heavens and Gibbs unleashed the greatest ODI innings ever played. The cricket mad public might still wallow over Tendulkar and Sehwag, but in truth Gibb’s 175 stands out as one of the very top, if not the best
ODI innings of all time.
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