Cricket Witness No 5 - Whites on Green

112 signalled six again. As Nash regathered the ball and pondered where to put the last delivery, Eifion Jones – the Glamorgan wicketkeeper – jokingly said to Sobers: “Bet you can’t hit this one for six as well.” The West Indian simply turned around and grinned, took guard and then ferociously despatched the ball like a rocket high over mid-wicket for his sixth six and a place in the cricket record books. Garry later recalled his thought processes ahead of facing that historic sixth ball: “As Malcolm prepared to bowl… I reasoned that he would try to change his pace and maybe bowl a quicker ball. All my previous five shots had been the same. A change of pace might bring about a mishit and a catch. A modern bowler, with years of experience bowling in one-day matches, might well have drilled a quicker ball in on my toes, one of the most difficult deliveries to hit for six. But Malcolm was trying to get me out. He was an attacking bowler. The ball dropped short on middle stump and I connected in the middle of the bat.” 1 Nottinghamshire’s declaration followed soon afterwards and, as Peter Walker remembers: “Alongside a beaming Nash, [Garry] walked off to a standing ovation. As they drew level with me, I overheard the game’s most charismatic and accomplished all-rounder ask Malcolm how he could be so cheerful after what had just happened to him? It was typical of Nash to reply: Sixes at Swansea Malcolm Nash in more happier times at Swansea as he receives a presentation from the St. Helen’s Balconiers.