Two Brisbane cricket teams are taking a well earned rest this morning after playing more than 50 hours of continuous cricket in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest ever match.The players - members and friends from the Citipointe Church Christian Outreach Centre in Mansfield, south of the city - last night smashed the standing record of 35-and-a-half hours set by UK club Chesterfield when they played their last ball at a northside cricket field 10.45pm.
The teams had hoped to rack up 60 hours on the pitch, but decided to wrap up after 50 hours and 15 minutes.
"People were mentally struggling," organiser Perry Le Petit said this morning.
"Everyone was very very tired and there were a lot of weary bodies.
"At the end of the day, we had a duty of care."
The group took to Sel Outridge Park at Redland Bay at 8.30pm on Thursday, playing in shifts, with rotations only for meals and sleep.
A minimum of eight players per side were required to be participating in the match at all times under Guinness World Record rules.
It is the second successful attempt by the group, after setting a previous record of 33-and-a-half hours in 2006 that was eventually beaten by the English in September last year.
Mr Le Petit, a Gold Coast fitter and turner, said the players were thrilled to see the title returned to Australian soil.
"We're all very happy about what we've achieved.
"We've had so much support and encouragement, it has been fantastic."
However, the group, including a small army of officials, umpires and medical support staff, will wait for official confirmation from Guinness World Records before celebrating with a barbecue and an auction of match "memorabilia".
The marathon match was not without its on-field dramas, with several injuries and a mass pitch invasion by up to 20 drunk streakers on the first day of play.
An anticipated $5000 raised by the players will be donated to Cambodian-based charity refuge She Rescue Home set up for victims of the Asian sex slave trade.
Source : brisbanetimes.com.au
