Louis Kimber, on Wednesday (June 26), smashed a historic double century in the recently concluded match between Sussex and Leicestershire in the County Championship Division Two.

The right-handed batsman played a whirlwind 243 runs off just 127 balls and broke several records during his monumental knock. His innings was studded with 20 fours and a record 21 sixes. Before reaching his double century, he also cleaned up England star Ollie Robinson as the latter gave away a record 43 runs in an over.

Louis Kimber was hitting 72 runs off 56 balls when Robinson came to bowl the 59th over. By the time he finished the over, the Leicestershire batsman had raced to 109 runs off just 65 balls. He hit Robinson for five sixes, three of them no balls, and also smashed him for three fours. It is the most expensive in the history of county cricket and the second most expensive in first-class cricket.

Louis Kimber also continued his attack after the century and completed his double century in just 100 balls to record the fastest double century in county cricket history. Overall, it is the second-fastest double century in first-class cricket. Afghanistan’s Shafiqullah currently holds the record for the fastest double century in first-class cricket.

Fastest double century in first-class cricket:

• Shafigullah – 89 balls, Kabul Region vs Boost Region, 2018
• Louis Kimber – 100 balls, Leicestershire vs Sussex, 2024
• Tanmay Agarwal – 119 balls, Hyderabad vs Arunachal, 2024
• Ravi Shastri – 123 balls, Bombay vs Baroda, 1985
• Aneurin Donald – 123 balls, Glamorgan vs Derbyshire, 2016

Louis Kimber also broke the record for most sixes in an innings in county cricket by hitting 21 maximums during his knock. The record was previously held by Ben Stokes for hitting 17 sixes in 2022. During the same knock, the 27-year-old also broke the record for highest first-class score while batting at number 8 or below.

Most sixes by player in County Championship innings:

• 21 – Louis Kimber vs Sussex, 2024
• 17 – Ben Stokes v Worcestershire, 2022
• 16 – Andrew Symonds v Glamorgan, 1995
• 16 – Graham Napier v Surrey, 2011

Louis Kimber’s blow in vain:

While Louis Kimber played a knock for good, it was ultimately in vain as Leicestershire lost the game by 18 runs. Chasing a record 464 runs, Leicestershire were bowled out for 446 and Kimber was the last wicket to fall.

Their chances of winning the game seemed all but over after they were reduced to 175 for 7. However, Kimber single-handedly changed the course of the game and almost led his team to a historic victory.

Sussex wins the most incredible cricket match.

Louis Kimber is bowled for 243 as Leicestershire are 18 runs short of their record target. pic.twitter.com/7cgGpPOy1i

— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) June 26, 2024