The opener began this morning on 222 not out and continued to plunder the CD attack as he made a Northern Districts record 334 before he was finally dismissed by George Worker.
The innings eclipsed Kane William's 284 for ND against Wellington in 2011 and Brownlie's triple marked only the seventh time a batsman had passed 300 on New Zealand soil in test or first-class cricket.
Brownlie's innings helped ND record their fifth-best total in first-class cricket as they eventually declared at 556-9 and no CD bowler had figures that required a mention.
Almost lost among Brownlie's record-breaking knock, which included 40 fours and eight sixes, was a century from Mitchell Santer who made 101 at No 7.
Licking their wounds, CD were 145-4 in reply in their first innings when play closed for the day. Tom Bruce added 56 for the home side but was out late in proceedings.
Meanwhile, at Karori Park in the capital, Wellington lost the toss and were put in to bat against Otago and crawled to 270-9 on day one.
The game was meant to get underway yesterday but the ground was not up to muster so it was delayed a day.
Tom Blundell made 68 for Wellington, while Jeetan Patel added 52. Test spinner Mark Craig (3-85) and Craig Smith (3-30) led the line for Otago.
At Mainpower Oval in Rangiora, Auckland won the toss and sent Canterbury in to bat and were rewarded with a solid start to the opening day's play.
Canterbury were bowled out for 268 as Tarun Nethula took 4-68 and Auckland closed the day on 83-2 with Jeet Raval at the crease on 36, alongside Colin Munro on three.
- Daniel Richardson of NZME. News Service
