Darren Stevens couldn’t hide his glee after spear-heading the run-chase which led to a ‘phenomenal’ new world record.

The all-rounder, 37, took just 44 balls – equalling an 18-year-old Kent record – to score his fifth one-day ton and shared a 159-run third-wicket partnership with Sam Northeast to help overhaul Sussex Sharks’ massive 336-5 on Wednesday night.

Stevens said: “What a great game, and to break a world record? It’s phenomenal. It was an unbelievable game. If these people (the crowd) don’t come back after that, what more do people need?

“The boys are absolutely buzzing. For us it’s the high point of the season so far, I hope it kicks us on. It didn’t go our way early season but hopefully this sort of spurs us on to think more positively.”

Eyebrows were raised when Sussex posted such a huge total after losing the toss and being put in by Kent, but Stevens said: “With Luke Wright and Chris Nash up-top and their middle-order, they are just a great side.

“We had a chat before about whether to set or chase. We said generally under lights it skids on a bit more and we’d chased a couple of times this year, let’s keep going at that.

“The pitch was a belter. It had a little bit of bounce, very true, it was just a great pitch. Obviously it helps with the short boundary too.”

Stevens eventually departed, perhaps predictably, caught on the boundary for 118 by Matt Machan, going for his eighth six to add to 12 fours.

The former Leicestershire man said: “I was gutted, walking off. I shouldn’t have got out.

When he bowled it I was thinking ‘one’ but I went through with it. I’d just taken him for 14 off the over, there was no need really.

Instead it was left to Northeast, 14 years Stevens’ junior, to steer Kent towards the finish line and Stevens paid tribute to his teammate, saying: “It must have been tough for him because I hogged the strike quite a lot. I reckon he did a fantastic job.