East Sussex Cricketer Smashes Incredible 411 In Record-Breaking Innings

(c) Willingdon Cricket Club

An East Sussex cricketer has described scoring a remarkable 411 runs in a single limited-overs innings as the "best sporting day of my life".

Ryan Welch, 26, achieved the extraordinary feat for Willingdon Cricket Club during Saturday's match against Crowborough Cricket Club.

His unbeaten 411 helped Willingdon post a huge total of 571-1 before they went on to win by 438 runs.

The innings, which included 51 fours and 22 sixes, is believed to be a new UK record for a limited-overs match, surpassing the previous mark of 408 set in Leicestershire in 1994.

Speaking after his record-breaking performance, Welch said:

"It was absolutely mental. I could not score another run for the rest of my life now and I would not care."

He added:

"I normally bat lower down the order and don't often get the chance to score that many runs, but from the first shot I felt I was on to a winner.

"It was a perfect day for batting, and the best sporting day of my life."

Welch admitted fortune was on his side at times, having been dropped on 76 and narrowly avoiding a run out during the innings.

The record-breaking knock came after he arrived at the ground just minutes before the start of play and was unexpectedly asked to open the batting.

Despite his incredible achievement, Welch says he doesn't play regularly, featuring in only four matches last year and around 30 games since leaving school. Before Saturday, his highest score was 113.