Hampshire target Glenn Maxwell has rescued his Victoria teammates from ignominy with a record-breaking century.

Maxwell, who may yet return to Hampshire this summer as the county’s second overseas player in the T20 Blast, hit a 102-ball 127 (14 fours, seven sixes) – after arriving at the crease with his side reeling on 9 for 6!

Having already top scored with a run-a-ball 94 in Victoria’s first innings against New South Wales, Maxwell ensured Victoria avoided their lowest-ever score (15) before contributing a record 68.27 per cent of his state’s 186.

It was not enough to prevent defeat by an innings and 48 runs but Maxwell’s runs amounted to the highest percentage of a team’s total in the Sheffield Shield, Australia’s first-class competition.

His dominance beat the previous record of 67.94 (214/315) set by Australia legend Bill Ponsford, also for Victoria, in 1926.

Maxwell shared a stand of 92 with Dan Christian (30), another former Hampshire overseas player, and his was the last wicket to fall when he was trapped lbw by rookie all-rounder Sean Abbott.

His third first-class hundred was his first in the Sheffield Shield for three years.