Record 72-hour claim for 'longest cricket net' in Sleaford helps air ambulance

Three men who batted non-stop for 72 hours are claiming a world record for the longest cricket net session.

Dave Newman, Richard Wells and Shaun Brown finished the marathon innings at a sports hall in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, just after 09:00 GMT.

They batted in three nets alongside each other, with deliveries from bowling machines and human bowlers, to raise money for an air ambulance.

Mr Wells said: "To be honest it seems like a big blur."

The previous record stood at 52 hours and the men, who all play for Billingborough Cricket Club, passed that barrier on Saturday but continued to bat on for another 20 hours.

They are now hoping for official Guinness World Records confirmation of their record.

Richard Wells faces up to the bowling during the challenge

Mr Wells said at the end of the batting extravaganza his cricketing colleagues "fell to their knees... and I grabbed 'em and gave them a hug."

"I'm so happy it's done," he added.

On the record attempt's Twitter page the men posted "Home time. Hot tub and bed required."

The record attempted started at 09:00 GMT on Thursday and went on for the three days.

For every hour of completed batting the men were entitled to a five-minute break.

The charity spends £2.5m a year to keep the helicopter in the air

Their endeavours have so far raised more than £3,600 for the Linc and Notts Air Ambulance.

Three years ago the trio of cricketers batted in the nets for 48 hours to raise money for a team member who had been diagnosed with a brain tumour, raising £16,000.