Cricket: World record for sixes still sinking in

Auckland batsman Colin Munro in action last year. Photo / Richard Robinson

World record-breaking Kiwi Colin Munro says his mindblowing innings for the Auckland Aces this week is still sinking in, and he's just glad he helped his team out.

Modest Munro - who is originally from South Africa - insisted at times he was "lucky" during his innings against the Central Stags. On Tuesday, he hit 23 sixes, an achievement without equal anywhere in the history of first class cricket.

The 28 year-old's performance at Napier's McLean Park on Tuesday has astounded the cricket world, thanks also to its uncanny timing.

"Manu" Munro's monstrous knock of 281 materialised in the shadow of the Black Caps' semi-final against South Africa. In that match, another South African expatriate, Grant Elliott, also had an innings to remember.

In Auckland, Elliott's winning six soared in front of more than 40,000 fans, with fireworks blasted from the grandstand roof seconds later.

In Napier, one might imagine Munro had to find his way round tumbleweeds.

"We didn't even have anyone to push the sightscreens to be honest, because all the guys were up in Auckland or watching the game at home," Munro said.

"There was no-one around mate. I think there was probably a couple of the CD (Central Districts) boys' parents down there, or girlfriends and wives."

Counting the number of sixes he hit didn't cross his mind.

"I didn't even think about the world record or anything. It was obviously nice to get...but it was a good performance all-round by the boys."

With the desire to beat his personal best also driving him, everything kept going right.

Then, another goal.

"When I beat my last top score of 269, I thought to myself...I'll try and get to that 300."

That wasn't to be, but nobody cares. Munro didn't just edge his way past the previous record of 16 sixes, he destroyed it.

Munro, selected for New Zealand in 2012-13, but not this summer, was now the subject of talk about a Black Caps call-up later this year. He downplayed the chatter.

"It's just tough to get in there at the moment. The boys are doing really well."

Like one of his idols, Lance Klusener, Munro bats left-handed and bowls with the right. And Munro said he had to improve his bowling to have a shot at making the national team.

"If it happens it happens. I'm not really thinking too far ahead, I'm just trying to enjoy my cricket and that's when I play my best. If I start thinking about Black Caps selection, like I did last year and the year before, it just sort of messes with me mentally."

He said a good innings like Tuesday was partly possible because he was "just trying to enjoy the moment" and share the company of his mates.

Munro moved to New Zealand from KwaZulu-Natal in 2002. He said there was "no conflict" in choosing to support the Black Caps when they played the Proteas.

"Manu" grew up around the sugarcane-farming town of Tongaat and was a boarder at Durban's Glenwood High School, home of the "Green Machine" sports teams which were among South Africa's most respected.

He said Glenwood gave him the time and the company to work on his cricket.

"You don't have to worry about going home. You don't really have a home, it's just the boarding establishment so you've got guys ready to bowl at you and bat and that..."

Klusener, from nearby Amanzimoti, fellow South Africans Gary Kirsten and Shaun Pollock and West Indies legends Brian Lara and Curtly Ambrose were among his favourite players growing up.

Munro moved to New Zealand as a teenager and resumed his schooling at Pakuranga College. He said he "tried his luck" at club cricket in East Auckland and caught the attention of Dipak Patel, the Kenya-born allrounder who played for New Zealand from 1987-97.

Munro said Patel became a mentor, and the two were still in touch.

If Munro was not selected for the Black Caps tour of England, starting in May, he was expected to be in England by May 18 ahead of his county team Worcestershire's first match later that month.

The Aces were well on top on day three of the Plunket shield match.

Munro will be back in action for Auckland against Otago at Colin Maiden Park, St John's, on April 1.