Cricketers set record
By SCOTT MORGAN - Auckland City Harbour News | Friday, 02 May 2008The record books were rewritten at Cornwall Park last month thanks to a group of dedicated cricketers.
Twenty-two Cornwall players battled through 55 hours of continuous cricket, while raising just over $7000 for the Starship Foundation.
The former record of 36 hours was held by a group of Englishmen, while a group of Australians played for 50 hours during Easter.
But the Australian cricketers did not have their time recognised by Guinness World Records before the match at Cornwall Park.
Event organiser Mike Butler, who also captained one of the teams, says the players felt "rejuvenated" on the final day with the crowd that showed up to support them.
But the group did strike some trouble during the marathon match, playing on despite rain and an injury to one of their players.
Chris Whyte fractured an eye socket after being struck by the ball while fielding during the first night session.
"It stuffed up our roster plan for when people would sleep," says Mike.
And the extreme sleep deprivation predictably took its toll on the players once the game had finished.
"I got home at 7pm on the Sunday night and slept for 14 hours," he says.
"When I woke up I said to my partner: ‘Who’s next to pad up?’"
The teams amassed a total of 3558 runs during the game, while 160 wickets were taken and 908 over's were bowled.