Cricket Star Darius Visser Braves Injuries For Another World Record – By Lawrence Machado
Dashing cricket star Darius Visser has done it again. Visser, whose Dad is Sri Lankan and Mother is Samoan, is leading Samoa’s historic charge towards the 2026 T20 World Cup and even the 2028 LA Olympics. Defying a fractured finger and injured knee, Visser became the first batsman to score T20 international centuries in two successive days, while equalling the most number of boundaries in an innings.
In August 2024, Visser, who also has Dutch heritage, made international news when he smashed 39 runs in an over, including six sixes, to set a world record playing for Samoa against Vanuatu. The New Zealand-born batting phenomenon went on to smash a thunderous132 off just 62 deliveries as Samoa scored 174.
A few weeks ago, Visser hammered T20 international tons in two consecutive days in the Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy 2025, the first time this has been done in the world. An ICC representative has acknowledged the accomplishment.
Valuable Experience
While Samoa failed to win any of games in this double round robin event which included hosts Singapore, they gained valuable experience for the 2025 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia-Pacific Regional Finals in Oman from October 8-17.
Just like his first world record, Visser was unaware he had done anything special after his successive tons in Singapore. “I found out through social media that evening after the game,” Visser said. “I had been tagged in a post featuring the record and only then did I understand what I had accomplished.
“I try not to think too much about it and make sure I am always getting better for the upcoming tournament.
“The team definitely had a few beers after the game to celebrate and when I came home, my partner had organised a celebration dinner with my closest friends which was great.”
Boundary Record Equalled
Astonishingly, a knee injury and fractured little finger did not hinder Visser’s eye-catching performances in Singapore. “Our coach Tarun Nethula told me to take my bottom hand off the bat and play. So, I ended up with 17 fours because I had no bottom hand (meaning) everything was going through the field and not over it,” Visser explained.
‘We Were Competitive’
Visser said the dynamic of the team will change slightly in Oman with the addition of a few players. “We were competitive and close to upsetting a few higher-ranked teams so the addition of the guys coming in will boost our chances for sure,” he said.
“In Singapore, we struggled with runs on the board. However the players coming in will help in this area. I think we will be a well-rounded team in Oman.
“My partner and my family have been super supportive and have sacrificed a lot for me to take time away so I am grateful.”
Nine Countries In The Fray
There are nine countries in the fray at the 2025 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia-Pacific Regional Finals, with the top three qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka.
Samoa, which qualified from tough regional qualifiers, will be vying with Nepal, Oman, Papua New Guinea, the UAE, Kuwait, Malaysia, Japan, and Qatar for the three spots.
The tournament will be divided into three groups, with the top two teams qualifying for the Super Six stage from October 12-17. The top three finishing sides will progress to the T20 World Cup.
International Representation
Because of his mixed heritage and having lived in two countries, Visser could technically represent his birth country New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Australia, The Netherlands, and Samoa. He was tapped by the Samoan coach to play in 2024, which came as a huge surprise to him.
A Humble Champion
A truly humble champion, Visser is delighted to see more Samoans embrace the cricket team because it plays second fiddle to the country’s national sport of rugby union.
Taylor, 41, is the first player to play 100 international matches in all three formats: Tests, ODIs, and T20s. An outstanding batsman and fielder, Taylor scored 7,683 Test runs, 8,607 ODI runs and 1,909 in the T20 format for The Black Caps.
