Chris Gayle was struggling. The charismatic calypso king was devoid of confidence.
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So much so that all he could manage was a lazy 146 from 89 balls for the West Indies against the Prime Minister's XI in February 2010.
If he wasn't struggling so much, he might have even posted the highest score of the day. Instead that title belongs to Tom Cooper, who blasted a then record-breaking 160 (120) in the unsuccessful run chase.
That's why Gayle and Cooper's masterclass comes in at No. 10 on the countdown of the top 11 moments at Manuka Oval before coming Australia's 11th Test venue on February 11.
Gayle's breathtaking knock surpassed David Boon's 26-year-old record for the highest score in the fixture's history as he proved to be the rightful heir to Viv Richards' master blaster throne.
But his record only stood for four hours.
"I'm struggling, I wasn't feeling confident," a bewildering Gayle said post-match.
"It might be surprising to say I get 140 and saying these things but I know myself and I know when I'm actually at my best, I know my body."
The Windies piled on 5-399 in a rain-affected innings reduced to 45 overs before the hosts mustered a hearty 7-312 in reply thanks to South Australian batsman Cooper.
Gayle came out all guns blazing as he lashed Victorian quick James Pattinson (0-91)'s first three balls to the boundary before being dropped twice in the fourth over.
His half-century came off 23 balls and his ton off just 57, making a sizeable Manuka Oval look tiny because of his remarkable power hitting.
"For a man as massive as he is and statuesque at the crease, he's got amazingly fast hands through the ball and we saw that again today when he hit eight sixes and not all of them out of the middle of the bat," ABC commentator Jim Maxwell said.
Cooper bit back with arguably the finest knock of his career at the top of the order, outshining Prime Minister's XI skipper Matthew Hayden who was stumped for 13.
Oh, and the Prime Minister's XI wicketkeeper that day? Australian skipper Tim Paine - the man who will lead Australia onto the pitch at Manuka Oval on February 1 for a landmark Test match.
The Canberra Times is counting down 11 magical Manuka Oval moments ahead of an historic Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka on February 1.
Got a magic Manuka memory that should be on the list? Let us know at sport@canberratimes.com.au
THE COUNTDOWN SO FAR..
No. 10: Gayle and Cooper sparkle in batting brilliance.
