Darren Lehmann scaled new heights off brilliance yesterday by thrashing 191 for Yorkshire Phoenix against Nottingham-shire Outlaws in their Norwich Union League match which brought the curtain down on the most memorable Scarborough Festival of all time.

The Australian's record-breaking innings was the perfect way to celebrate Yorkshire becoming County Champions a couple of days earlier and it propelled Phoenix to 352 for six off their 45 overs, the Tykes' biggest score ever made in a one-day match.

Not surprisingly, they went on to beat Notts by the massive margin of 179 runs in a game which will long be remembered for Lehmann's wizardry with the bat.

It proved quite impossible to bowl to him and he was completely in control of every shot he played and every run he scored.

His thrilling innings included 11 soaring sixes and 24 fiercely thumped fours and used up only 103 balls.

Lehmann was at the crease for 116 minutes - and that included an eight minute stoppage in play while an ambulance drove on to the field to come to the aid of a spectator who had been taken ill.

His superb exhibition gave him the highest individual score ever made by a Yorkshire batsman in a one-day match, beating the previous best of 148 by Craig White in the Axa League at Leicester in 1997.

It was the best by any batsman in the country in the Norwich Union League, now in its third year, overtaking the previous highest of 163 by Sussex's Chris Adams against Middlesex at Arundel in 1999.

And Lehmann was only a couple of sixes away from equalling Ian Botham's record haul of 13 for Somerset against Northampton-shire at Wellingborough 15 years ago.

The biggest score made in Sunday League cricket is 203 by Alistair Brown for Surrey against Hampshire at Guildford in 1997.

Yorkshire's total was the best in the National League, overhauling Gloucestershire's 344 for six earlier this season, and it exceeded the county's previous highest in a one-day match of 345 for five - also against Notts - in a NatWest Trophy game in 1996.

Lehmann said as he relaxed after the match: "It was just one of those days and when they come along they are very rare and you make the most of them.

"I went out intending to bat properly but we had already made a good start and with a solid foundation I was able to hit the ball from the start.

"Everything I did just seemed to turn to gold and the ball kept flying off the middle of the bat.

"I was not annoyed at getting out just short of a double century because records don't interest me.

"I knew I could give it a bit of a go because there were still plenty of wickets to fall and the main thing was that we went on to win the match."

Salt was rubbed into Notting-hamshire's wounds because they had actually put Yorkshire in to bat and Gavin Hamilton (24) and Matthew Wood (23) had already rattled up 52 in nine overs by the time Lehmann came to the crease.

His partner, Anthony McGrath, looked on in wonderment as Lehmann contributed 129 to their third wicket stand of 172 in only 22 overs.

Sixes rained down on the crowd, many of them peppering spectators on the Popular Bank on the North Marine Road side of the ground, with Lehmann's favourite shot being the pull or pick up over mid-wicket.

One six appeared to crash into the main gates while another zoomed into the players' enclosure and nobody in the 6,000 crowd dared to take their eye off the ball for a moment.

Lehmann's 50 came off 38 balls (6x4s, 1x6), his century off 67 balls (11x4s, 4x6s) and his 150 off 86 balls (17x4s, 7x6s).

McGrath was out slicing a catch to Paul Johnson at third man and when White came in Lehmann became even more frenzied, lashing 62 out of an 80 stand in a mere seven overs.

The end finally came when Lehmann attempted to blast Kevin Pietersen out of the ground again but was beautifully caught on the rope at long on by former Yorkshire all-rounder Gareth Clough, who had already soaked up his own share of the punishment when he was bowling.

Lehmann made his way back to the pavilion to a tumultuous ovation from delirious fans who had witnessed one of the most spectacular innings ever played.

The game was effectively over as a contest and only Bicknell made any real contribution with 50 from 67 balls with six fours as Notts were bowled out for 173 in reply.

The tireless Lehmann bowled his full quota of nine overs, capturing two wickets as did off-spinner Richard Dawson, but the most successful bowler was Hamilton who claimed a dismissal in each of his first three overs to finish with three for 14.

It was announced during the match that Dickie Bird had accepted an invitation to become next year's president of Scarborough Cricket Club.

Updated: 11:39 Monday, August 27, 2001