KUIPER, ADRIAN

Well if you don't let me refresh your memory. It was amidst heavy political turmoil in 1989 when the ANC had been unbanned and Nelson Mandela released. In many ways these political happenings had overshadowed the second English Rebel tour to South Africa. The first to have visited was captained by Graham Gooch, however Mike Gatting had decided it was now his chance to cash in on the money that one could get from Rebel Tour. Anyway, let me not go off in a tangent. It was a warm summer's night in Bloemfontein and a Day/Night match was being contested by a South African XI and a Rebel English XI.

That night Adrian Kuiper was to create a huge demolition of an English attack. He smashed huge sixes off most of the bowlers and his batting partner Peter Kirsten was just there for the show. By the time Kuiper was eventually out he had scored 117! He made his hundred off a mere 49 balls. However due to exhaustion his last 17 runs were made off all of 17 balls.

This was also the man who in the World Cup had a torrid time and really made very few scores of note until of course that day at the Wanderers against the Australians. South Africa, batting first and well in command at 245 for 5 at the end of the 49th over had now progessed into the 50th over. At the end of that 50th over Australia had conceded 26 runs all off the bat of Kuiper. The second last ball was hoisted over mid-wicket for a huge six and the last one was a no-ball. This was hit back over McDermott's head for six. The eventual last ball was also hit for six - over mid-wicket! And finally Kuiper had announced his coming. He went on to score more quick runs later in the One-day series as I recall a particular 33 off 16 balls!

I really do hope that we get to see more of this assassin of bowling attacks.