Garry Park scored probably the fastest ever century in Buckinghamshire’s long history in their exciting three-wicket victory over Staffordshire at Longton.

Park slammed 100 not out off just 50 balls, striking ten sixes, as Bucks secured their third Eastern Division win of the summer in the Unicorns Counties Championship.

Going back into history, the speed of innings was based on time at the crease, rather than balls faced, but there is no recorded instance of a faster century for Bucks than Park’s magnificent effort.

A Bucks win did not look likely on the first day, when Staffordshire made 361 all out after being put into bat. This was despite fine bowling from High Wycombe seamer Jonathan Burden, who took 5-96 from 22 overs.

Bucks’ reply was based on an opening stand of 160 between AJ Woodland (61) and Masoor Khan, who scored a splendid 133 from 229 balls with a six and 12 fours.

However his innings was overshadowed by Park’s spectacular knock. He dominated an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 141 with Michael Payne (57no) as the visitors reached 396-3 - a first innings lead of 35.

A fine spell from Chesham off-spinner Matt Rance, who took 4-17 from nine overs, helped reduce Staffs from 118-2 to 213 all out in their second innings. 

This left Bucks needing 179 for victory. At 40-3, the result was in doubt.

But the first-innings centurions Khan and Park (40) added 82, and Khan was still there on 75 not out as Bucks crossed the line with seven wickets down.

The victory puts Bucks fifth in the table but only 12 points behind leaders Lincolnshire with one game to play - against Hertfordshire at Tring, starting on Sunday, September 2.