Cricket: Smashing time at crease for ace Munro

CD bowler Blair Tickner.

You would have thought the Auckland Aces would have preferred to be in the electric atmosphere of Eden Park yesterday watching the ICC World Cup semifinal between the Black Caps and South Africa.

Perhaps they did but you somehow get the impression Colin Munro may uum and aah about that after smashing the world record for most sixes in a first-class innings against Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags at Nelson Park, Napier.

The No4 batsman was out to newbie Tom Bruce for 281 runs from 167 balls, including 17 boundaries and 23 sixes while occupying the crease for 236 minutes.

It was the South African-born left-hander's ninth first-class ton.

In the process, the 28-year-old established a record fourth-wicket partnership with Rob O'Donnell as the pair eclipsed the previous benchmark of 159 that Rob Nicol and Gareth Hopkins set in 2008-9.

Munro's previous best score was an unbeaten 269 off 252 balls against Wellington in 2012-13. He was rewarded with a call-up to the New Zealand squad for the tour to South Africa that summer where he played three T20 internationals before making his test in the second match at Port Elizabeth.

CD bowler Blair Tickner, 21, who made his debut said: "He's [Munro] quite good but it was a good experience out there for me on my first day."

The Aces are 471-5 in 92 overs so whether a sporty declaration is on the card remains to be seen.