New Zealand first-class batting records have been rewritten today with Devon Conway reaching his maiden triple ton at the Basin Reserve this morning.

Having resumed on 261 not out, the sublime Conway reached his triple century in the first hour, racing through the 290s in just three balls - hitting two boundaries before running a three for his milestone.

With the support of allrounder Jamie Gibson (who meanwhile racked up his maiden first-class half century), Conway then began to reel in some of the select list of names ahead of him in the chart of highest New Zealand first-class scores.

Michael Papps' unbeaten 316* two seasons ago at the same ground stood as the Wellington Firebirds record until today: Conway equalled that at 11.45am with a single, before Gibson ran a leg bye to bring up the Firebirds' 500 off the next ball.

Conway then promptly tapped another single off Todd Astle to claim the Firebirds record outright at 501/6, with only Dean Brownlie, Wally Hammond, Roger Blunt, and Bert Sutcliffe's two triple centuries (his 385 in 1952/53 the national rceord) now above him on the all-time, all-teams list.

Gibson stroked a four off Will Williams's following over to register their 150-stand for the seventh wicket, off just 175 balls, as the hastening avalanche of runs continued to pile up on Canterbury.

Astle finally broke the stand a few minutes later to put a full stop on Gibson's career best at 65, his breezy knock having included 10 boundaries and one six.

Logan van Beek joined Conway on 323* and 515 for seven but Firebirds captain Michael Bracewell put a stop to all this statistical fun by declaring the innings at 525/7, to give his bowlers a crack at Canterbury shortly before lunch.

Conway had scorched his way to an unbeaten 327 off 352 balls. From just three innings so far this Plunket Shield season, the batsman of the moment has already scored 444 runs at 221.00, including a record 48 boundaries and five sixes in this innings.

Article added: Wednesday 30 October 2019