Most runs scored in one over in a first-class match (contrived)

In a Shell Trophy match between New Zealand domestic sides Wellington and Canterbury at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium on 20 February 1990, Wellington’s Robert “Bert” Vance conceded 77 runs from a single over, as part of an attempt to bring about a result on the final day of a match Wellington needed to win to secure the domestic title. Canterbury batsman Lee Germon was the main beneficiary, smacking 70 runs (including eight sixes and five fours) from a 22-ball over containing only one legitimate delivery in the first 17 balls bowled. After much confusion among the scorers, officials, players and spectators, the match was drawn with Canterbury on 290 for 8 in their second innings – one run short of their victory target. Wellington were subsequently docked four points for bringing the game into disrepute.

Only the second ball of Vance’s first 17 deliveries was legitimate, and in the confusion the umpire allowed only five legitimate balls before calling ‘over’. The scorecard for the over read: 0-4-4-4-6-6-4-6-1-4-1-0-6-6-6-6-6-0-0-4-0-1.

Germon began the penultimate over on 75 not out, with Canterbury on 196 for 8. He finished on 160 not out off 143 balls. The batsman at the other end, who contributed five runs to the total in the middle of Germon’s onslaught, was Roger Ford.

The most non-contrived runs conceded off one first-class over is 43, scored by Northern Districts batsmen Joe Carter and Brett Hampton against Central Districts (all New Zealand) bowler Willem Ludick (South Africa) during a domestic Ford Trophy match at Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand, on 7 November 2018.