HASSAN Adnan rewrote the records books yesterday when he scored 232 not out for Suffolk – the county’s highest ever individual score – against Northumberland at Jesmond.

The 36-year-old former Derbyshire batsman broke the 100-year-old landmark of 229 set by JF Ireland against Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in 1911.

Adnan also shared in a record fifth-wicket stand of 274 unbroken with wicket-keeper Chris Warn, who ended on 109 not out as Suffolk took control on day two of their Minor Counties Championship match.

Adnan and Warn surpassed the old record of 193 set by JF Ireland and FH Mustard against Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in 1908, and they were just 21 short of the county’s all-time record of 295, also set at Jesmond, by Mike McEvoy and Chris Gladwin in 1990.

Their efforts meant Suffolk, who have yet to declare their second innings but will almost certainly do so overnight, will start the final day with a lead of 488, after closing the day on 435 for four.

Skipper Justin Bishop said: “Hassan batted superbly – he struck the ball so well – and together with Chris Warn has put us in a strong position. It was a great day at the office for us and wonderful to watch.”

Suffolk dismissed their hosts, who started the day on 106 for five, for 179 thanks largely to off spinner James Finch, who claimed the first four wickets to fall.

Finch bowled a splendid spell to finish with figures of 17-4-30-6, while Bishop ended the resistance of Marc Symington, whose 61 occupied 135 balls and contained eight boundaries as Suffolk established a first-innings lead of 53.

Suffolk started at a brisk pace and had scored 49 before Tom Huggins fell lbw in the 16th over, while Martyn Cull followed in similar fashion nine overs later. Ben France struck a six before he was caught off the next delivery in the 28th over.

When Bishop was run out after he was sent back by Adnan, Suffolk were 161 for four in the 42nd over. In the 175 minutes and 43 overs play that followed Adnan and Warn dismantled the Northumberland bowling attack.

Adnan’s share of their 274-run stand from 324 balls was 145. He ended the day having faced 280 balls in 313 minutes, scoring 28 fours and two sixes. Warn’s 109 came from a total of 159 balls received and included 12 fours and one six.

JESMOND SCOREBOARD

NORTHUMBERLAND

First innings (Overnight 106 for 5): M Symington c & b Bishop 61, C Hooker c Cull b Finch 37, B Maxted c Gravell b Finch 2, R Fearon lbw b Finch 0, G Saxton c Huggins b Finch 4. Extras 18. Total (off 60.3 overs) 179.

Fall: 6-147, 7-153, 8-159, 9-171, 10-179.

Bowling: Edwards 7-2-22-1; Hunn 8-2-21-0; Finch 17-4-30-6; Bishop 13.3-1-47-2; France 11-0-43-1; Rash 3-1-10-0; Huggins 1-0-1-0.

SUFFOLK

First innings: 232 (M Symington 5 for 53).

Second innings: T Huggins lbw b Saxton 27, H Adnan not out 232, M Cull lbw b Fearon 13, B France c Scott b Symington 7, J Bishop run out 26, C Warn not out 109. Extras 21. Total (for 4 wkts, off 95 overs) 435.

Fall: 1-49, 2-84, 3-93, 4-161.

Bowling: Waterson 11-3-37-0; Saxton 10-1-44-1; Fearon 33-3-132-1; Symington 31-2-155-1; Hooker 3-0-17-0; Turns 5-0-20-0; Dale 1-0-7-0; Young 1-0-6-0.

Northumberland 5pts, Suffolk 6pts