IN the most brilliant and sustained display of big hitting batsmanship ever seen at the Racecourse, Radcliffe’s West Indian professional Garry Sobers scored 186 not out in 127 minutes.

He scored a new individual innings record for the club, just a week after equalling Frank Worrell’s record of six centuries in a season.

In view of this tremendous performance, it was hardly surprising that Radcliffe Cricket Club won their match against Ashton.

Sobers’ record, backed by a fine 55 not out by amateur M Hetherington, saw Radcliffe declare at 263 for two wickets.

Ashton made a spirited reply but only reached 140 runs.

As well as beating Australian Cec Pepper’s previous record score of 157 made in 1955, Sobers also toppled Frank Worrell’s record of six centuries, scoring seven centuries.

With a total of 1,243 runs to his credit and four games still to play, he also looked likely to threaten Worrell’s league record of 1,694 runs.

The opening phases of the match against Ashton gave little indication of the thrills and excitement to come.

But when Sobers came onto the field, the rate of scoring soon began to accelerate.

The half-century went up in 40 minutes, but Sobers had to sprint like an Olympic runner to avoid being run out.

He carried on with his big-hitting tactics and reached 100 after 75 minutes, breaking Worrell’s record of centuries.

Altogether he stayed 127 minutes at the crease, hitting 25 boundaries and six sixes.

The honours for the innings deservedly went to Sobers, but the credit for the win rested with the team as a whole.