Few records in cricket are imperishable. Bradman’s test average and Jack Hobbs’ 197 centuries, perhaps. But those that are belong to a different game and a different context.

Yet 110 years ago a batsman – or, in all honesty, a bowler who could ‘bat a bit’ – played an innings that has inspired books and articles in a way that few, if any, single innings have done before or since.

On 20 May 1911, Edwin Boaler 'Ted' Alletson walked out to bat at number nine for Notts in an away game v Sussex at Hove with the score at 185 for 7, just nine runs ahead after Sussex had taken a first innings lead of 176.

He steadily compiled his first 47 runs, but by lunch Notts were 84 ahead with just one wicket remaining. Legend has it that Alletson asked his skipper, Arthur Jones, if he should ‘have a go’ at the Sussex attack. And how.

After lunch Alletson assaulted the opposition, scoring 142 runs off just 70 balls in a 152-run tenth wicket partnership. His aggressive innings of 189 included 23 fours and eight sixes.

John Arlott, whose book Alletson’s Innings celebrated Ted’s great feat, described it as “the most remarkable sustained hitting innings in first-class cricket” and he may well be right.

A century and more on from that day at Hove, no number nine in English First-Class cricket has scored more than Ted Alletson’s 189. Indeed, the next best score from that spot in the order is also by a Nottinghamshire bowler – Stuart Broad’s 169 for England v Pakistan in the Lord’s Test of 2010.

"The most remarkable sustained hitting innings in first-class cricket."

John Arlott on Ted Alletson's 189

And the 34 runs Ted hit off an over from leg spinner Tim Killick were the most runs scored in a single six-ball over until Garfield Sobers, yet another Nottinghamshire legend, achieved the first maximum 56 years later.

This was T20 ball-striking without the benefit of restricted fielders, reduced boundaries and sculpted, weighted bats.

The benchmark for Notts' striking is surely Alex Hales’ 187* to win the one-day trophy in 2017. Hales took more balls and a longer time, and hit fewer sixes and fours, to record two runs less than Alletson did against Sussex. Even today, that knock at Hove would be the stuff of headlines.

Returning to his home village – he was brought up on the Welbeck estate – Alletson received a hero’s welcome, as crowds cheered the sun-burnt cricketer on his journey back to his residence. Several tradesmen also displayed flags in honour of the occasion.

The sporting press, which had missed his exploits at the seaside, turned up in droves to his next match, and Ted Alletson didn’t entirely disappoint.

He scored 60 against Gloucestershire at Trent Bridge, which led to his selection for a Test trial at Bramall Lane on 1 June 1911, although this proved to be the only non-Notts match in his First-Class career. 

Other recognition of his outstanding batting against Sussex included a gold watch and a cheque for £100 from the Duke of Portland (who had promised Alletson this reward once he had scored his first century for Notts).

Ted Alletson was only playing against Sussex because first choice bowler ‘Topsy’ Wass was injured, and although he played 119 First-Class matches for his home county, he was never an automatic pick for the first team.

Alletson’s county cricket career ended due to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Serving in the Royal Artillery, he survived the war and represented his regiment against Yorkshire in August 1918 before returning to work in the coal industry at Manton.

He remained in possession of the high-scoring bat until his death on 5 July 1963, after which the bat was auctioned off and raised £15,000.