(Source X)
Louis Kimber’s remarkable innings on Wednesday saw him achieve a historic double-century during Sussex’s clash with Leicestershire in the County Championship Division Two.
The right-handed batsman blazed his way to 243 runs off just 127 balls, setting numerous records along the way. His innings featured an impressive tally of 20 boundaries and a record-breaking 21 sixes. Notably, Kimber’s assault included a particularly destructive over against England’s Ollie Robinson, where he plundered 43 runs, including five sixes (three off no-balls) and three fours. This over stands as the most expensive in county cricket history and the second-costliest in first-class cricket.
Starting the over at 72 runs off 56 balls, Kimber accelerated to 109 runs off 65 balls by the over’s conclusion. He continued his onslaught after reaching his century, achieving his double-century in just 100 deliveries, setting a new record for the fastest double-century in county cricket history and the second-fastest in all of first-class cricket.
Fastest double-centuries in first-class cricket:
1. Shafigullah – 89 balls, Kabul Region vs Boost Region, 2018
2. Louis Kimber – 100 balls, Leicestershire vs Sussex, 2024
3. Tanmay Agarwal – 119 balls, Hyderabad vs Arunachal, 2024
4. Ravi Shastri – 123 balls, Bombay vs Baroda, 1985
5. Aneurin Donald – 123 balls, Glamorgan vs Derbyshire, 2016
Louis Kimber set a new record for the most sixes in a county cricket innings, smashing 21 maximums during his exceptional knock. Previously, Ben Stokes held the record with 17 sixes in 2022. Additionally, Kimber, aged 27, also established a new record for the highest first-class score by a batsman batting at number 8 or lower during the same innings.
Most sixes by a player in County Championship innings:
21 – Louis Kimber vs Sussex, 2024
17 – Ben Stokes vs Worcestershire, 2022
16 – Andrew Symonds vs Glamorgan, 1995
16 – Graham Napier vs Surrey, 2011
Louis Kimber’s heroic innings ended in disappointment as Leicestershire fell short by 18 runs in their chase of a record 464 runs. Despite Kimber’s remarkable effort, scoring a sensational innings, Leicestershire were eventually dismissed for 446 runs with Kimber being the final wicket to fall.
The team seemed to have little chance of victory when they were struggling at 175 for 7. However, Kimber’s exceptional performance almost turned the game around single-handedly, nearly guiding his side to what would have been a historic win.
