Mike Hussey put himself in illustrious company with a magnificent unbeaten 329 for Northamptonshire in their Division One contest with Essex at Wantage Road.

The 26-year-old from Perth set a new record for the county's highest individual score in first-class cricket, exceeding his current team-mate Mal Loye's 322 not out against Glamorgan at Northampton in 1998.

And he also became only the sixth Australian batsman to notch a triple hundred in England, following in the illustrious footsteps of Victor Trumper, Warwick Armstrong, Charlie Macartney, Sir Donald Bradman (twice) and Bobby Simpson.

Hussey's ten and a quarter hours stay, featuring a six and 48 fours off 444 balls, guided Northants to a massive 633-6 declared, and Essex replied positively with 152-1 from 44 overs at the close thanks to Paul Grayson (91 not out) and Darren Robinson (48 not out).

Hussey and Tony Penberthy (101) posted 210 for the fourth wicket in 50 overs together, denying Essex their first wicket of the day until Penberthy edged behind off Tim Phillips just before lunch.

But Hussey was in no mood to give it away, and a scampered single off Peter Such made him Northants' fourth treble-centurion after Loye, David Sales and Raman Subba Row. Eight overs later, he pushed Phillips for one to relegate Loye's effort three years ago to second place.

"I wondered how Mal would feel when I broke his record, but he was great about it and was really appreciative of my innings."

Weary Essex soon lost Richard Clinton as they launched their reply, but on a pitch still looking ideal for batting Grayson and Robinson shared an unbroken 141-run stand to keep their side afloat.

© CricInfo Ltd.