THE DAY WHEN LITTLE-KNOWN DARIUS VISSER SET THE CRICKET WORLD ALIGHT HOW THIS HUMBLE LANKAN-SAMOAN STAR MADE IT TO THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS – By Lawrence Machado
DARIUS VISSER WITH JORDAN COX AND NICK LARKIN
Darius Visser was unknown to most cricket fans until a fateful day in August 2024 when he pulled off one of the most astonishing batting performances to power Samoa to an amazing victory. Visser, the New Zealand-born cricketer of Sri Lankan, Dutch and Samoan heritage, and living in Australia, smote 132 off a mere 62 balls, including a world record 39 in an over. He broke several records on that day. Even more incredible, he did not know he had become a world record-breaker until an ICC official had mentioned it during the innings break.
SEE DARIUS VISSER’S RECORD OVER: https://bit.ly/4hbEGmv
Called up to play for Samoa in the T20 World Cup qualifiers, Visser strode to the crease with Samoa reeling at 18 for four. Even at 61 for 5 by the 11th over, the 28-year-old did panic. Instead, he unleashed his tremendous batting power, lashing 87 runs off just 27 balls, becoming just the fourth batsman to hit six sixes in one T20 over, after Indian Yuvraj Singh, Keiron Pollard of the West Indies and Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee.
Playing in only his third T20 international, Visser took on Vanuatu’s hapless Nalin Nipiko in the 15th over, with the demoralised bowler conceding three no-balls. He became the first Samoan to score a T20 century, while his 132 out of Samoa’s total of 174, was the highest percentage of runs compiled by a batsman in an innings.
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Darius coaching one of the international cricketers at his academy.
MORE WORLD RECORDS TUMBLE
According to ESPNCricinfo, Visser scored 75.86% of his team’s runs to beat the existing record of 75.1% by Australian star Aaron Finch. Samoan skipper Caleb Jasmat was the second-highest scorer with 16.
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“Against Vanuatu, my thoughts were very clear,” Visser said. “Our coach Tarun Nethula and I had come up with a plan to face 60 balls, the rest would take care of itself. I went into bat and within a few overs we were 4/18 after the powerplay.
“At the 11th, we were 5/61 and I knew I had to find a match up and go after them knowing I had a bit of momentum. “From 5/61 after 11.2, we managed to put on 100 runs in 7 overs. I got out in the last over when the score was 8/170. My goal was to face 60 balls and I did that.
WATCHED BY HIS GREATEST FANS
His magnificent performance, which was enhanced by Samoa restricting Vanuatu to 164 for 9, was watched by his greatest fans, his family and partner.
“I was blessed enough to have my parents and my partner there supporting me throughout the week and a half,” Visser said. “The entire team went through our ups and downs. At one point we thought we were out of the tournament but by God’s grace, we were given another chance and made the most of it. Having that support network kept me free of stress and happy.
Darius Visser during his record breaking knock for Samoa
NO IDEA HE HAD BROKEN THE RECORD
“I had absolutely no idea of the record. An ICC official had mentioned it between innings. However, I thought nothing of it and ran on to have a bowl. It was only in the evening when I had opened my phone did, I realise how many records had been broken and the significance of that innings.”
COACHING INTERNATIONAL CRICKETERS
A little-known fact about Visser is that he is a much sought-after coach. England’s newest batting sensation Harry Brook spent valuable time with Visser during the Englishman’s stint in Sydney’s grade cricket in 2018/19. “With Brooky, it was never (a question of) if he would play Test cricket, it was when he would play Test cricket,” Visser told NewsCorp. “He could (play every shot in the book) very well.”
Visser has also coached exciting young English cricketers Jordan Cox, Jafar Chohan, and Tawanda Muyeye, Australian stars Cameron Bancroft, Nick Larkin, Nic Maddison and Chris Green in addition to several other first class and international cricketers.
Asked what was his first impressions about the world record verified by the Guinness Book of Records, Visser said: “I had a good laugh when I received my Guinness World Record in the mail.
“I did not think it would have been recognised by GWR. However, it makes me smile every time I see it. It is a really neat award to have and will find a way to frame it alongside the bat I used that day.”
Visser’s journey from a relatively unknown player to world famous cricketer is a truly amazing ride, as he had virtually stopped playing when he received an unexpected call from the Samoan coach Tarun Nethula.
DARIUS VISSER’S KNOCK IS AN OFFICIAL WORLD RECORD
THOUGHT I WAS DONE WITH PLAYING CRICKET
“I truthfully thought I was done with playing cricket,” Visser said. “I had lost my love for the game until Tarun Nethula reached out to me.
“I enjoyed hitting balls on and off in the nets and thought there was no harm in playing the World Cup qualifier. I never thought I would leave the country achieving what I did.”
Actually, the Auckland-born all-rounder could be eligible for five countries in all: New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Sri Lanka and The Netherlands. “Looking back, I should have explored other opportunities earlier such as Sri Lanka, New Zealand and The Netherlands earlier,” Visser mused.
His Sri Lankan-born Dad Gerald, who has Dutch heritage, migrated to New Zealand in 1987, and then moved to Australia in 1997, with his Samoan wife Lima and toddler Darius. His brother Dayne was born in Australia.
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS COMING UP
Both Lima and Gerald, who studied at St Joseph’s College, Colombo, are very proud of their son’s achievements, though there are genuine humbling qualities about the whole family, including the new world record holder.
Next up for Visser is a trip to Oman to play the final T20 World Cup qualifiers. The top three from the eight-team tournament will advance to the World Cup. Visser said Samoa should field a very competitive side, including first class cricketers. He will be weighing up his playing options after the Oman event, depending how far his country goes.
Visser said cricket is getting more popular in Samoa – a rugby-mad nation – after the recent successes.
“The Samoan women’s under 19’s competed in their first World Cup and I believe there is a lot of noise in the country and support for our cricket teams,” Visser said. “Coaching-wise, I would love to travel there after my playing days are done once and for all to just give back as much as I can.”
DARIUS VISSER JOINS THE ELITE GROUP WHO SCORED SIX SIXES IN AN T20I OVER.
FIRST LANKAN-SAMOAN INTERNATIONAL CRICKETER
He said being the first Lankan-Samoan international cricketer is something special while there are other players of mixed nationality in the national team. “We are a mixed team … we have players who are Samoan/Indian, Samoan/New Zealand etc (but) at the end of the day, we are all Samoan.”
Visser said he left university where he was studying physical education. “I barely enjoyed studying and loved being creative,” Visser said. “I accidentally found coaching cricketers as I was jobless at the time.”
THE SAMOA CRICKET ASSOCIATION CEO SALA STELLA SIALE VAEA, CENTRE, WITH DARIUS VISSER, LEFT, AND SAMOAN SKIPPER CALEB JASIT.
HE CAN PLAY FOR FIVE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
“Technically, I believe I can represent 5 countries considering my father’s grandfather is Dutch. That would allow me to qualify for Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Sri Lanka and The Netherlands.
His foray into coaching has been very successful, resulting in Hype Cricket Academy, which he started seven years ago. He started his cricket career at Penrith CC – home of Australian Test captain Pat Cummins and other top first-class cricketers.
Since then, Visser played Sydney grade cricket for the University of Sydney and St George District CA. He also coaches Newington College.
Visser is a quality leg spinner, having been mentored by various well-known coaches, including Dr Rene Ferdinands, who worked a lot with (Sri Lankan ace) Rangana Herath, making him a well-rounded cricketer.
DARIUS VISSER WITH HIS PROUD PARENTS LIMA AND GERALD VISSER AFTER HIS KNOCK.
WHAT GOLF HAS TAUGHT ME
“I also did a lot of work with a former MLB player, Trent Oeltjen (the Australian star who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers) on my power game so I fancy my white ball batting game.”
Visser saying golf has taught him how to move on from failure. “We all hit bad cricket/golf shots. However, if you can’t move on from your last bad shot, it will influence your next shot.”
CAN’T HANDLE SRI LANKAN SPICES
Asked if he enjoying spicy Lankan food, Visser smiled:
“I am boring when it comes to food. I can’t handle the Lankan spice and my body has had fights with me in the past over Lankan food.” He said string hoppers, burgers and steak are among his favourite foods.
If you missed Lawrence’ Last Article – here it is! – Peterites Storm Into Semifinals of T10 Cricket Tournament – By Lawrence Machado
