Wombourne skipper Liam Hughes blasted his way into the record books with a stunning Staffordshire debut.

Hughes struck a superb 184 not out in an amazing Minor Counties clash with Norfolk, that ended with the scores level after three days of scintillating cricket.

The 21-year-old’s innings was the highest score by a player on debut for Staffordshire and his 300-run partnership with former Derbyshire and England man Kim Barnett  with 126 not out – was a Staffs record for any wicket and a Minor Counties best for the fifth wicket.

Hughes, who was back at the wicket for Worestershire University this week, wasn’t included in the original Staffs squad for the the clash but earned a late call-up along with his brother Alex and Barnett following a series of late withdrawls.

But he made the most of his opportunity by smacking 26 fours and four sixes as Staffs piled up 413-4d in their second innings.

A delighted Hughes said: “It exceeded all my expectations. The key was batting with Kim Barnett, he was excellent and it was a great to bat with a player with his experience.

“If every Minor Counties game is like that, I wouldn’t mind playing every week!”

Staffs were 113-4 when Hughes and Barnett joined forces – effectively 17-4 after Norfolk had replied to Staffs’ first innings score of 183 with 279-9d.

The duo’s partnership left Norfolk chasing 318 for victory and there was more drama as the hosts took the chase to the final ball of the game.

But, with two runs needed for victory, they could only scamper a single to leave the scores tied.

Staffs chairman of cricket Nick Archer was left stunned by Hughes’s amazing display.

He said: “It was a phenomenal innings and staggering to watch. He had missed out in the first innings and then seen his brother bat really well and score 68.

“Add to that the fact it wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on, because it was turning quite a lot. But he played superbly.”

Hughes has been rewarded by being named in the Staffs squad for Sunday’s Minor Counties Knockout Trophy semi-final clash with Bedfordshire at Knypersley.