GRAHAM Napier has blasted his way back in to the annals of cricketing history by smashing a world-record equalling 16 sixes in his stunning innings of 196 against Surrey.

The Essex all-rounder plundered the hosts' hapless bowling attack – which included England opener Chris Tremlett – to all parts of the ground at Whitgift School, Croydon, before his 130-ball effort eventually came to an end as he tried to beat the record.

"I knew I was close," he told the Gazette. "I had a look at lunchtime and I was on nine sixes and I sort of lost track in the whirlwind after lunch as to where I was.

"They came thick and fast after lunch and if it was in my zone, it was going."

To be fair to Napier's mathematics it wasn't difficult to lose track of his scoring. He moved from 100 to 150 off just 15 balls, his final 103 runs came from a meagre 29 deliveries and poor old spinner Gareth Batty disappeared for 28 in one over.

The 31-year-old now goes level with Australian Andrew Symonds for sixes in a first-class match and the feat also matches the Twenty20 world-record 16 sixes he hit against Sussex in 2008.

"Someone said one of the sixes hit a passing car," he joked. "I'm waiting for a court order in the post for that. But seriously on these smaller grounds you can mishit a few and it'll still go for six."

Naturally attention will now turn as to exactly how Napier managed to achieve such a brutal spell of hitting; perhaps the answer lies in his eye-sight?

"I wore glasses last year because I found out that my eyes weren't as good as they have been in the past," he said. "Over the pre-season I have been fitted for some contacts. So I'm wearing contacts now when I bat and it's made the world of difference.

"They're just from a high street store but I'm looking in to getting some cricket specific ones."

His devastating hitting, which also included 19 fours, is all the more remarkable when you consider this was his first County Championship appearance since last June.

Napier missed the bulk of last season with a career-threatening back injury, a stress fracture, picked up bowling against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

He has had a couple of niggling injuries this term, including an ankle problem, but the arduous road to fitness is now complete after 11 frustrating months out of the game.

"I've got a dog, so he kept me company a lot of the time when I was injured," he said. "And that's been quite a refreshing change as well because he's still just a pup and it's just something that takes your mind away from things.

"Whenever you come home your dog's always happy. He doesn't care if you've gone round the park or anything else, he's just happy to see you."

The record-breaker also whiled away the hours watching films, adding: "I'm a big movie person, a lot of movies were watched on those lonely nights in.

"(My) favourite movie has got to be Rocky and anything comedy-wise – and British films, I love them."

But despite his heroics with the bat Napier, who earned an IPL contract following his efforts in 2008, still classes himself as a bowler.

"That's what I am really," he said. "I think, at times, I've been disappointed with my batting. I know I haven't achieved what I know I can.

"I've been at eight and nine in the order in the past, so now there's an opportunity to push for the all-rounder's slot – the batting has come along as a bonus."

The game eventually ended in a draw after Surrey were set 367 to win from just 27 overs.