Boucher relieved with win

Mark Boucher © Getty Images

South Africa wicket-keeper Mark Boucher admitted the world number ones were on a hiding to nothing against minnows Holland.

The Proteas won by a massive 221 runs after posting 353 in 40 overs and then bowling out the Europeans for just 132.

Included in South Africa’s total was six sixes in an over from Herschelle Gibbs - who eventually scored 72, a century from Jacques Kallis (128 not out) and the fastest World Cup half-century (21 balls) from Boucher, who made an unbeaten 75.

However, the South Africans had a shock with the second-ball dismissal of AB de Villiers.

“It is quite tough. You are supposed to win coming into these games,” said Boucher.

“All credit to Jacques and Graeme (in recovering from the early wicket). The foundations were laid by them and Herschelle and I could then attack.

“We know there is a long way to go and we need to get through our stage first.”

On Gibbs’ record - the first time the feat had been achieved in international one-day cricket - Boucher added: “We were all wishing him on. You only get one moment in your career to do that and he picked them up perfectly.”

Luuk van Troost was able to smile despite Holland's heavy loss in St Kitts © Getty Images

Holland captain Luuk van Troost employed some gallows humour as he tried to make sense of the mauling Daan van Bunge, who conceded the 36 to Gibbs, and the rest had taken.

“Before the game we said, 'Let's make history today' – by beating South Africa,” he recalled.

“We certainly made history – but it was for six sixes in an over instead.”

As for van Bunge, the captain reported he is coming to terms with the day's events – somehow.

“He had some flashbacks – he started laughing when he was sitting in the dressing room,” he said.

“I told him after the third ball to try to bowl a quicker one – he said, 'I just did'.

“There were a few good balls in it and a few bad balls in it as well.”

Van Troost felt he was in the firing line too.

“It's terrible to be a captain in that situation – I didn't know where to put my players anymore. It was a nightmare,” he said.

“They totally outplayed us. It was world-class batting – and these small boundaries were never going to help us. This ground is unbelievable.”