Hodge has been in prolific form in the second half of the summer

Brad Hodge achieved the highest score ever made by a Leicestershire batsman on the final day of their bottom of the table clash with Nottinghamshire.

The Australian, who was on 220 not out throughout Thursday's wash-out, put his name in the record books when he reached 262.

It took him past the previous record of 261 set by West Indian Phil Simmons against Northamptonshire in 1994.

His triple cenury arrived following a rain interval and he hit 46 fours and three sixes in his 302 not out off 280 balls before skipper Phil DeFreitas declared.

The match finished in a draw though DeFreitas and Vasbert Drakes created many a flutter in the Nottinghamshire dressing-room when they combined to reduce the home team to 29-4.

But Chris Cairns (75) and Chris Read (65) set their team on the road to safety, leaving Paul Dranks and Richard Logan to bat out the last few overs.

Both clubs will surely be contesting cricket in the second division in 2004.

Nottinghamshire: D J Bicknell, G E Welton, R J Warren K P Pietersen, B M Shafayat, C L Cairns (Capt), C M W Read (Wkt) P J Franks, R J Logan, S C G MacGill, C E Shreck.