But the diminutive Central Districts wicketkeeper-batsman perfected the art yesterday with a match-winning undefeated century against Otago at the University Oval.
His wonderful knock of 114 from 115 balls was made all the sweeter given it was his maiden one-day hundred.
Set 256 for victory, the visiting side had slumped to 11 for three when van Wyk made his way out to bat.
He lost the talented Will Young not long after with the score on 40.
Dane Cleaver played an important innings, whacking 74 from 70 to help his side get the required run rate under control and back into a position to win the game.
But it was van Wyk who anchored the innings. With tenacity and an unshakable belief he dragged his team through to a four-wicket win.
''About 15 years ago, a senior pro in my team told me I would have to get used to the fact that when a team is in trouble it is my job to get them out of trouble,'' van Wyk said.
''Over the years it has gone better but it was nice to be there at the end and pull the stumps out.
''It was nice to get the hundred. I'm chuffed, I'm really chuffed.''
Van Wyk pulled a delivery from Jacob Duffy to the square leg boundary to complete the victory. But earlier Duffy had fizzed one past his chin and bowled with real potency.
He had a very helpful and very strong breeze at his back and, with Neil Wagner bowling a tremendous spell into the wind, Otago had Central Districts firmly on the back foot.
Wagner's opening four-over spell netted him two wickets for just three runs.
''Duffy bowled seriously well,'' Van Wyk said.
'' But we thought if we can just stay calm and take the game deep then we have a good chance.
''We still had guys in the hutch who can hit a sweet ball. It was very satisfying.''
Central (26 points) remains at the top of the competition table with one round-robin match remaining.
Auckland overhauled Northern Districts' total of 300 in a thrilling one-wicket win at Eden Park Outer Oval.
The Aces are in second place with 24 points.
Otago remains in third with 15 points with Northern Districts on 12.
Canterbury's 85-run win against Wellington at the Basin Reserve has kept its playoff prospects alive.
Wellington is in last place with just one win from seven games and out of contention.
Earlier, Otago made an inauspicious start.
Hamish Rutherford played a delightful lofted drive over extra cover before he was bowled through the gap, and fellow opener Sam Wells was skittled by a delivery which nipped back, as well.
Aaron Redmond and Michael Bracewell arrested the slide with a valuable stand of 93.
Momentum began to swing back to Otago in the 14th over when Bracewell blazed a four through point and Redmond dispatched a crisp cover drive.
Redmond had a life on 15. Kieran Noema-Barnett thrust out a hand and dived, getting a finger or two to it before it ran away to the third-man boundary.
Redmond took advantage of his escape, getting down the wicket and smashing a delivery from spinner Marty Kain for six.
His 50 came up in contrasting style- a mistimed sweep shot which dribbled over the rope for another boundary.
Bracewell had his moments, too, but on 38 tried a heave to leg and was trapped in front.
And Redmond was just moving into another gear when he picked out cover on 60.
Jesse Ryder's return to top-level cricket was as expected. He looked rusty but also showed glimpses of his immense talent in his innings of 34.
Neil Wagner (42) and Bradley Scott (25) added 59 for the ninth-wicket.
Central Districts seamer Andrew Mathieson got the ball through nicely and took four for 59.
Test bowler Doug Bracewell was also impressive with one for 43.
Wagner finished with four for 32 from 10 overs and Duffy's one for 41 does little to highlight how well he bowled.
