Opener Peter Ingram added a new script to the record books as the State Central Stags continued to prosper against State Northern Knights.
Ingram elbowed aside his captain Mathew Sinclair as he made 247 in his team's first innings of 479 for nine declared on the third day of the State Championship match at Seddon Park in Hamilton, the highest score ever made by a Central player.
It topped Sinclair's 243 not out registered last summer against Otago and came after Central resumed this morning on 201 for two, with Ingram on 144, his eighth first-class century.
Ingram pressed on in tandem with Sinclair, who also got in on the action to make 101 as this pair shared a record stand of 264.
That represented a Central record for the third wicket against allcomers, and the partnership was only broken after Sinclair was undone by young seamer Trent Boult, having rushed through the 90s at the expense of spinner Bruce Martin.
Ingram's flawless, marathon innings finally ended after 458 minutes when he was just three shy of becoming the first Central players to make 250, offering an edge to slip after pushing forward to a ball from left-armer Martin.
The 30-year-old right-handed had faced 356 deliveries, hitting 31 fours and four sixes in a career highlight.
Martin worked overtime to stem the runs, wheeling down 54 overs to return the figures of four for 145.
Facing a first innings deficit of 154 runs, the home side went to stumps on 83 for two, after Michael Parlane made 41 while BJ Watling will resume tomorrow on 33.
NZPA
