Cricket: Sheffield's Billy Root hits maiden first-class century against Sussex

Billy Root of Sheffield Collegiate CC 1st XI leaves the field after hitting 218 not out in the game v Doncaster Town CC 1st XI

Sheffield's Billy Root hit his maiden first-class century earlier today, playing for Leeds/Bradford MCCU against Sussex at Hove.

The 23-year-old Collegiate batsmen, who was 84 not out overnight, hit 133 at number three, reaching his hundred with a six off seamer George Garton.

Besides that maximum, Root struck 11 fours.

Billy, a left-handed batsman, played for Nottinghamshire second XI last summer before making one County Championship appearance for the senior side in their final game of the season.

This week his runs for Leeds/Bradford earned a draw in a rain-hit, three-day match, Billy’s second appearance of this season for the student side. Last week he scored 62 in a draw with Warwickshire.

Billy’s older brother, Joe, also scored his maiden first-class ton also came in a draw against Sussex, for Yorkshire, at Scarborough in August 2011.

Joe greeted the news with a celebratory tweet, writing: “Get in there! Well batted kid. Very proud. First of many for sure.”

Billy had Yorkshire League officials thumbing through their record books after his remarkable double century helped Sheffield Collegiate hammer Doncaster Town by 233 runs last season.

Root, who signed a summer deal with Nottinghamshire, hit 22 fours and seven sixes as he finished unbeaten on 218, out of Collegiate’s 400-5.

His 218* is the highest individual score in the Yorkshire League since online records began back in 2001.