Jaques smashes triple-century in club cricket

Phil Jaques' return to form continued with a near record-breaking triple-century in Sydney grade cricket on Saturday. Jaques, who struggled through most of the domestic season but bounced back with 192 against Tasmania in last week's Pura Cup match, fell 14 runs short of Victor Trumper's record 335 playing for Paddington in 1902-03.

Jaques' 321 from 257 balls for Sutherland was the second-highest score in Sydney club cricket history and came within the space of a day. He smashed 196 runs in boundaries - including 31 fours and 12 sixes - and launched a late blitz at the end of the day in an effort to better Trumper's record.

"The boys sent a message out for me that I was closing in on the record with two overs left in the day's play, so I went for it," Jaques told the Sunday Telegraph. "I hit three straight sixes and thought I might get there, but then I holed out at midwicket going for another big shot.

"I missed the record, but I'm happy. You don't score a triple-century every day. It was good fun out there and I'm not going to forget it for a long time. I was pretty tired after batting all day, but luckily there are short boundaries there [at North Sydney Oval] and I didn't have to do too much running."

Earlier in the season, Jaques' poor run of form had extended from state cricket to club matches. He made 116 runs for Sutherland before Christmas and averaged only 16.57 but in the new year he has managed 658 runs at 219.33. "I can't explain the turnaround - that's cricket," Jaques said. "Things didn't go my way early on, but I've got my confidence back now. You have to enjoy the good times, you never know how long they will last."