England bowler Ollie Robinson conceded a County Championship-record 43 runs in an over while playing for Sussex as Leicestershire’s Louis Kimber smashed a history-making double century at Hove.
Robinson was taken for six fours and two sixes by No 8 batter Kimber, with three boundaries coming off no-balls – for which Leicestershire received an extra two runs each – in an eye-wateringly expensive nine-ball over which ended with a single.
Kimber (243 off 127) clinched a 62-ball hundred during that Robinson over and went on to score a 100-delivery double century – the fastest in County Championship history, eclipsing the 123-ball effort from Aneurin Donald for Glamorgan against Derbyshire in 2016.
It was the second-fastest first-class double century of all time, behind only an 89-ball knock from Pakistan’s Shafiqullah Shinwari for Kabul Region against Boost Region in 2017-18.
The Leicestershire player’s 21 sixes in an innings was also a Championship record, beating Ben Stokes’ haul of 17 for Durham versus Worcestershire in 2022.
Unfortunately for Leicestershire, Kimber’s astonishing innings came in a losing cause with the 27-year-old last man out as the Foxes were dismissed for 445 chasing 464 and lost by 18 runs.
Kimber, whose only previous first-class century came against Sussex in 2022, struck the fourth-highest score by a No 8 in first-class cricket and was given a guard of honour by team-mates and backroom staff after walking off to a standing ovation.
How the record-breaking over panned out…
- Ball 1 – Kimber pulls a six over deep backward square leg
- Ball 2 – Kimber clubs a four in a similar spot off a no-ball
- Ball 3 – A Robinson bouncer is cracked to deep third for four
- Ball 4 – Kimber nails Robinson for six over backward square
- Ball 5 – Another four for Kimber, through square leg
- Ball 6 – Kimber clinches century with off-side four, off no-ball
- Ball 7 – Kimber drills four through mid-on
- Ball 8 – Another no-ball by Robinson is cover-driven for four
- Ball 9 – A pulled single for Kimber
Kimber: I was in weird zone, it was an amazing feeling
Speaking after the game, Kimber said: “You don’t get many days like that in your career, it was unbelievable really. It’s just a shame we couldn’t get over the line, but personally you have to enjoy days like that. It was good fun.
“I just tried to be positive and see what happened. I got a bit of luck here and there but you need that. Most of the lads have told me to remember it because days like this don’t come around too often.
“My phone has been buzzing and the records I have broken are pretty cool. All the Sussex players congratulated me and told me I didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. They were very gracious.
“I can’t remember hitting the ball as cleanly as I did today before. I got into a kind of weird zone when I wasn’t thinking too much except trying to hit the ball where I wanted to. It was an amazing feeling.”
Week of expensive overs in County Championship
Earlier in the week, England spinner Shoaib Bashir – who is currently on loan at Worcestershire from Somerset – conceded 38 runs in an over against Surrey, including five Dan Lawrence sixes.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Shoaib Bashir shipped 38 runs in an over on Monday as he was taken apart by Surrey’s Dan Lawrence while playing for Worcestershire
At that point, Bashir’s over was the joint-most expensive in Championship history, equalling the 38 runs Alex Tudor was taken for in 1998 when Surrey played Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford, of which a young Andrew Flintoff struck 34 runs.
But Robinson now has the unwanted record outright after being taken apart by Kimber, who had begun the over 72 not out from 56 deliveries.
Robinson and Bashir could conceivably be in England’s XI for the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s from July 10, live on Sky Sports, so the touring batters may be licking their lips!
Robinson could play a key role in the England Test side this summer
Elsewhere in the County Championship…
Surrey wrapped up an innings-and-five-run victory over Worcestershire to remain top of Division One, with seam-bowling all-rounder Jordan Clark completing a five-wicket haul as the hosts were dismissed for 273 in their second innings at New Road.
Surrey, who have won five of their eight matches so far this term, welcome second-placed Essex to The Kia Oval next week.
Lancashire, meanwhile, routed Kent by an innings and 83 runs at Canterbury with Will Williams (3-26) and Tom Bailey (3-36) helping bowl out the home side for 222.
Kent’s defeat, their fourth in eight fixtures, leaves them stuck at the foot of the Division One table on 62 points, 25 behind Lancashire.
Ben Slater scored an unbeaten 168 to secure Nottinghamshire a share of the spoils with Somerset at Trent Bridge, while Dean Elgar (120) chalked up his 50th first-class century to help Essex to a draw against Durham.
Warwickshire denied Hampshire a third successive victory as a hard-fought match ended in a tense draw at Edgbaston, ending the day 321-9 thanks largely to a seventh-wicket partnership of 183 between Sam Hain (111no) and Michael Burgess (79).
In Division Two, Ethan Bamber ripped through Derbyshire‘s middle to lower order as Middlesex earned a convincing 194-run win on the final day at Lord’s.
Ethan Bamber helped Middlesex secure victory over Derbyshire
Bamber took 3-6 in 10 balls on his way to figures of 3-48 as Derbyshire slipped from 58-1 to 70-5, and Henry Brookes returned to clean up the tail and ensured a third victory of the season to keep Middlesex second behind leaders Sussex.
Northamptonshire came close to pulling off a remarkable comeback win over Glamorgan after a career-best 168 from Lewis McManus, but the hosts held out for a draw in Cardiff after being set a target of 262 in 39 overs for victory.
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from football, darts, cricket, F1, tennis, golf, rugby league, rugby union and more.