The match between Notts and Warwickshire at Edgbaston during the first week of June 2000 remains the highlight of Welton’s county career. The weather was foul. The headlines on the opening day were devoted to the absence from the Nottinghamshire side of Shoaib Akhtar, whose debut for Notts was being delayed due to a side strain.
Warwickshire struggled to 104 for nine, divided into two sessions by four hours of rain. That was Friday. On Saturday there were three breaks for rain. A thin crowd watched Bicknell and Welton tip toe to 194 without loss off 68 overs – Bicknell 90, Welton 89. It was apparently a record 1st wicket stand for Notts at Edgbaston.
On Sunday the weather was better. Bicknell and Welton continued to 406, when Gallian thought it wise to declare. The partnership was now the highest ever made by two Notts batsmen, eclipsing the 398 effort Shrewsbury and Gunn some 110 years before.
Welton was 200 not out, the youngest Notts batsman to reach that milestone. The pair had batted eight hours and 22 minutes. Welton faced 385 balls and hit 23 fours. Bicknell made 180. Unfortunately further rain on the fourth and last day prevented Notts from winning.
Young Welton had been equally talented as a footballer and cricketer in his teens. He had joined Grimsby Town FC on a Youth Training Scheme in 1994/5 and stayed two season, appearing in youth sides a goalkeeper. In the summer of 1994 he was picked to join the MCC Groundstaff and represented MCC Young Cricketers in the Bain Clakson Trophy of Playing Staff. The following summer he made his First-Class debut and was in and out of the Notts First Team during that and the two seasons that followed. In 1999 he hit 104no v Durham in the Sunday League.
His record breaking double hundred was also his maiden three figure innings in First-Class cricket. His best season was 2002 when in all First-Class matches he hit 954 runs at an average of 36.69. It was hoped that he would capitalise on this, but his form declined during 2003 and at the season's close he left Trent Bridge. He played for Lincolnshire in 2004 and then moved into Premier League club cricket.
April 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 541
See Guy Welton's career stats here