SOUTH African top-order batting powerhouse Herschelle Gibbs, the first man in history to hit six sixes in a single over in international cricket, has become the latest player to sign up for this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Gibbs achieved the batting feat in St Kitts during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, when he dispatched Netherlands leg-spinner Daan van Bunge over the ropes six times in a row.

And while four other players, including Barbados and West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers, have done it before or since in professional cricket, Gibbs was the first man to hit six sixes on the international stage.

It is part of a hugely impressive cricketing career that the right-hander, now 39, will bring to the CPL table, having represented teams all over the world, including being part of the Deccan Chargers squad that won the Indian Premier League in 2009.

Speaking to CPL organisers, Gibbs’ enthusiasm was obvious. “I am really looking forward to playing in the first CPL. I love the Caribbean and have great memories of touring there. The people are lovely and although each nation is different, they all have that same warmth and charm that makes everyone want to go there,” he said.

Gibbs added that many of the West Indies players have become “my friends over the years” and playing alongside them in their home countries will really be special to him.

Gibbs joins fellow international stars Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist from Australia, New Zealand’s Ross Taylor and Pakistan Twenty20 International (T20I) captain Mohammad Hafeez as confirmed big-name signings for the inaugural franchise-based tournament that will take place across six countries in July and August.

Also confirmed are six West Indies franchise players — Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels.

Gibbs’ international career spans 15 years and includes 90 Tests, 248 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 23 T20Is.