De Zorzi hits record-breaking triple ton at Newlands: 'It's a bit surreal'

Western Province batter Tony de Zorzi scored an unbeaten triple century on day two of the CSA 4-Day Franchise Series against the Knights in Cape Town on Friday.

De Zorzi smashed 305 off 381 balls, including 28 fours and seven sixes, and set a new record as the highest individual first-class score by a batter at Newlands.

The WP opener also went onto surpass Pieter Malan's previous best score of 264 for Western Province.

WRAP | CSA 4-Day Franchise Series

De Zorzi went onto share a 147-run partnership with George Linde (46) as the hosts declared on 575/7 with a lead of 464.

"It's a bit surreal. If someone told me that would be something I would achieve, I probably wouldn't believe them," said De Zorzi after his record-breaking innings.

"At the start of the day, I was very far from it and for that to happen to me, it's surreal. I'm very grateful, I could do it for the team and myself and my mom at home."

#4DaySeries@WP_Blitz batter @Tonydezorzi33 becomes the holder of the highest individual first-class score at Six Gun Grill Newlands in history - 3?0?4?*#BePartOfIt #SummerOfCricket pic.twitter.com/x7cQaqhn8E

De Zorzi remained at the crease for nearly two days as his triple ton came off 381 balls, the batter admits to not feeling fatigued.

"We've had a tough off-season so I'm glad that I stayed concentrated and committed throughout the innings, and just enjoyed the moment."

Meanwhile, the Knights, who were bundled out for 111 in the first innings, got off to the worst possible start in their second innings as Dane Paterson bowled Matthew Kleinveldt for 14.

The Knights sit on 34/1, trailing by 430 runs.

Play on Day 3 starts at 10:00.