FORMER Dorset star Darren Cowley was left to rue “a couple of defensive shots” after going within a whisker of matching the record for the fastest century in the history of cricket.

Cowley cracked his explosive ton off 31 balls – just one delivery more than Chris Gayle when the West Indies ace had set the record playing in the Indian Premier League in April.

Left-hander Cowley clubbed no fewer than 15 sixes and eight fours, his undefeated 159 helping Lymington overpower Mudeford in the semi-final of the New Forest President’s Cup on Monday.

The 36-year-old, son of ex-Hampshire all-rounder Nigel Cowley, peppered the boundary at Lymington Sports Ground, his astonishing innings resulting in four balls being lost into nearby gardens and another stuck in a tree.

Despite missing out on the record, Cowley’s exploits are expected to earn him recognition in the chronicle section of next year’s edition of Wisden – the world-renowned cricketers’ Almanack.

Wisden co-editor Hugh Chevallier told the Daily Echo: “This is definitely the sort of thing we are interested in including in the Almanack. I know it wasn’t quite the record but it wasn’t bad going.

“It does happen now and again in recreational cricket because there is so much of it played. It will have happened before but it is still pretty remarkable because you have to do some clean hitting.”

Cowley, who represented South Africa at under-19 level, called time on his Minor Counties career at the end of last season following 12 years with Dorset.

He said: “I didn’t know the world record was 30 balls until the game had finished. If I had, I wouldn’t have played a couple of defensive shots. I blocked a couple and missed a few.

“I have been struggling for runs recently and just went out for some batting practice. Everything just clicked and I middled a few.

“It was probably the most destructive innings of my career but there are a couple of others which probably stick in my head more. I scored a couple of quick tons for Dorset but nothing along those lines. I think the Mudeford lads quite enjoyed it and they seemed to appreciate it. There were a couple of horrible hoiks but most of it was decent.”

Hampshire League Mudeford found Lymington’s 198 for three from 18 overs a bridge too far and were eventually dismissed for 99.

Mudeford secretary Richard Leyshon, who was among the crowd, said: “It was an education to see someone hit the ball so far and so often. All our players could do was put a smile on their face and admire what they were seeing.

“About three-quarters of the way through his innings, we felt a note of definite optimism because we thought he was going to lose the entire supply of cricket balls in that part of Hampshire!”