Glamorgan cricketer Sam Northeast scores historic quadruple-century in County Championship

Sam Northeast has cemented his place in cricket history, scoring an unbeaten quadruple-century in the County Championship.

CARDIFF, WALES - JULY 13: Sam Northeast of Glamorgan raises their bat after reaching century during the LV= Insurance County Championship match between Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire at Sophia Gardens on July 13, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

Brian Lara, Sir Donald Bradman … and Sam Northeast.

The Glamorgan cricketer has cemented his place in the history books, scoring an unbeaten 410 against Leicestershire in the County Championship’s second division on Saturday.

Northeast’s quadruple-century featured 45 fours and three sixes, with his 450-ball marathon ranking as the ninth-largest individual score in first-class history.

It’s also the highest first-class score of the century, bettering Lara’s unbeaten 400 against England in 2004.

Watch South Africa‘s Tour of England. Every ODI & T20 Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The 32-year-old comfortably eclipsed Steve James’ 309 not out as the highest score by a Glamorgan player, later joining Archie MacLaren, Graeme Hick and Lara on an illustrious list of cricketers to score 400 runs in a first-class innings in England.

Northeast, a right-handed batter yet to make his international debut, steered Glamorgan to a record total of 5/795 at Leicester’s Uptonsteel County Ground, combining with wicketkeeper Chris Cooke for an unbroken 461-run partnership.

It was the second-largest stand for the sixth wicket in first-class history, also ranking as the eighth-highest partnership in the County Championship.

Much to Leicestershire’s frustration, Northeast was dropped at slip on 96 the previous day, while Cooke had been put down on three, and then again on 15.

The Glamorgan gloveman finished unbeaten on 191.

Northeast brought up his 400 by slapping Leicestershire paceman Roman Walker back over his head for a towering six, just his second of the innings.

Sam Northeast of Glamorgan. Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images

Full list of cricketers to score 400+ in a first-class match

501* – Brian Lara, Warwickshire vs Durham (June 1994)

499 – Hanif Mohammad, Karachi vs Bahawalpur (Jan 1959)

452* – Don Bradman, NSW vs Queensland (Jan 1930)

443* – B.B Nimbalkar, Maharashtra vs Kathiawar (Dec 1948)

437 – Bill Ponsford, Victoria vs Queensland (Dec 1927)

429 – Bill Ponsford, Victoria vs Tasmania (Feb 1923)

428 – Aftab Baloch, Sind vs Baluchistan (Feb 1974)

424 – Archie MacLaren, Lancashire vs Somerset (Jul 1895)

410* – Sam Northeast, Glamorgan vs Leicestershire (Jul 2022)

405* – Graeme Hick, Worcestershire vs Somerset (May 1988)

400* – Brian Lara, West Indies vs England (Apr 2004)

Although Northeast was steadily approaching the all-time record – Lara’s legendary 501 not out against Durham in 1994 – Glamorgan declared their innings at lunch on day four with a lead of 211.

The visitors needed 10 wickets in two sessions to claim an unlikely victory, but Glamorgan defied the odds and dismissed their rattled opponents for 183 in 59.4 overs.

Australian quicks Michael Hogan and Michael Neser were the chief destroyers with the ball, claiming 4/43 and 3/60 respectively.

The innings and 28 runs victory lifted Glamorgan to second place in the Division Two standings.

Leicestershire’s first-innings total of 584 is now the highest County Championship score for a team that subsequently lost by an innings.

Unbelievable, Sam Northeast. Batting at 410 and still going strong. He is the 11th batter to smash 400 runs in First-Class cricket#LVCountyChamppic.twitter.com/uhec3u1oWt

— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) July 23, 2022

410 unbeaten. Sam Northeast that is ridiculous. 191 isn’t too shabby either Chris Cooke! Let’s win it 😀

— Anthony Lewis (@tonylewis92) July 23, 2022

“I guess it‘s something which you always strive for in your career but never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I was going to end up on 410 not out and join some unbelievable names,” Northeast told ESPNcricinfo.

“The list of players: Lara, Hick, Bradman … To join that list is, as I said, beyond my wildest imagination really.

“It‘s been a crazy few days. You always strive for a huge personal milestone like that in your career. It’s been a special couple of days – and topped off with a great win.”

Northeast made his first-class debut in 2007, scoring 11,966 runs and 27 centuries at first-class level. His previous best score was 191.

Glamorgan coach Matt Maynard said: “To have a man, Sam Northeast, in your side who has joined only nine other players to have scored more than 400 in an innings is incredible. It was a remarkable feat and he batted selflessly as well, when we needed to up the scoring rate.

“A lot of things go into a score like that. You have to maintain a high level of concentration but he never seemed to deviate from his plans until right at the end, when he started to be more aggressive.

“I don‘t think anyone here will have witnessed a better innings. The way he went from 200 to 300 on Friday, it was as if there were no fielders. Every attacking shot he played went for four. I’ve seen some good players, I’ve batted with some good players, but to see someone maintain that level for so long was just incredible.”