The 35-year-old opening batsman scored centuries in both innings and eclipsed the incomparable Bert Sutcliffe's record of 17 centuries for the province.
Unfortunately, Cumming's team-mates were not able to finish the job and complete what would have been a wonderful victory against Canterbury in Queenstown.
Chasing 345, Otago fell agonisingly short.
Cumming got the team into a position to win but a dramatic collapse took the sting out of the chase.
Otago needed 15 runs off the last three overs with three wickets in hand but could manage only 13.
The match was drawn but it felt more like a loss for Otago, which seemed to be cruising to victory.
But while disappointed for the team, Cumming was able to reflect on an outstanding individual performance.
He had scored 17 first-class hundreds for Otago before the weekend, but passed Sutcliffe's record on Saturday with a superb undefeated 127.
He got an opportunity to add to his haul when Canterbury made a sporting declaration in its second innings to set up an intriguing run chase.
The right-hander anchored Otago's reply with another fine knock of 127, taking his provincial total of 100s to 19.
But passing Sutcliffe's mark was bitter-sweet.
A student of the game, he has the greatest respect for Sutcliffe and was choked with emotion when he erased Sutcliffe's record from the history books.
"There were mixed emotions," Cumming said.
"There was a sense of relief but also a sense of pride. It is quite humbling to have your name mentioned in the same breath as Bert Sutcliffe.
"In some ways, part of me feels that it isn't quite right because he was such a great player and certainly a guy who deserves to be at the top of all the leader boards."
Cumming started his first-class career with Canterbury but shifted south to Otago in 2000-01 and made a name for himself as a reliable opening batsman and astute skipper.
His form during the past two summers has been quite exceptional and has seen him lift his tally of 100s from nine to 17.
A diabetic, Cumming is in the twilight of his career but told the Otago Daily Times he was happy to keep playing as long as he was still enjoying it and was able to compete.
"There is still a lot of cricket to be played this year but if I'm still enjoying it, and if I'm still good enough, I can't see a reason why I wouldn't play. But I may look at some options as well. I may miss one competition ... but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Cumming was just the sixth Otago batsman to score a century in each innings of a match.
Canterbury posted 496 in its first innings and with the match drifting towards a draw, Otago declared at 241 for three, conceding first-innings points.
Canterbury added 89 runs in 15 overs yesterday morning before declaring its second innings closed, setting Otago a sporting target of 345 from 90 overs, at 3.83 runs an over.
Cumming and Shaun Haig combined in a 144-run stand for the second wicket and, while they were at the crease, Otago appeared to be cantering to victory.
Cumming was undone when he offered Papps a catch off the bowling of Willie Lonsdale and his dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse.
Neil Broom lasted just two balls, Sam Wells went for 4 and Ian Butler contributed just one run.
Darren Broom (19) and Derek de Boorder (14) both got set but could not go on, as Todd Astle and Ellis conspired to halt Otago's progress.
Astle, a leg spinner, took three wickets for 122 and medium pacer Ellis took two for 59.
Neil Wagner whacked 23 off 29, and Haig played a patient innings of 94 but could not get the ball away when his side really needed a boundary or two.
Wellington dragged itself off the bottom of the table with a win over Auckland, NZPA reported.
Chasing 276 for victory on the fourth day at the Basin Reserve, the host was stumbling at 144 for five but captain Neal Parlane struck an unbeaten 127 and wicketkeeper Joe Austin-Smellie (63 not out) stayed with him as Wellington reached the target with five wickets to spare.
Central Districts could only manage first innings points against Northern Districts but retained its 14-point lead.
Northern resumed yesterday at 63 for three, still trailing by 92, and was bowled out in its second innings for 275, leaving Central a target of 121 runs in 14 overs.
Peter Ingram and Kieran Noema-Barnett were both run out inside three overs, and Central was 28 for three when the teams called it a day after six overs.
The record-breaker:
Cumming's Otago centuries125* v ND (Hamilton) Feb 2001
122* v CD (Alexandra) Feb 2001
111 v Auckland (Auckland) Feb 2002
102 v ND (Hamilton) Feb 2003
128 v Auckland (Queenstown) Feb 2003
114 v Wellington (Alexandra) March 2003
125 v CD (Queenstown) Dec 2004
106 v ND (Gisborne) Jan 2005
108 v Canterbury (Christchurch) Feb 2007
133 v CD (Napier) Dec 2008
105 v Auckland (Auckland) Dec 2008
118 v Wellington (Wellington) March 2009
173 v Canterbury (Christchurch) March 2009
126 v ND (Dunedin) Nov 2009
102 v Auckland (Dunedin) March 2010
160 v ND (Whangarei) March 2010
103 v Wellington (Wellington) March 2010
127* & 127 v Canterbury (Queenstown) Feb 2011
OTAGO'S LEADING CENTURY MAKERS
Craig Cumming (2000-11) 19Bert Sutcliffe (1946-62) 17Ken Rutherford (1982-95) 14Glenn Turner (1964-83) 13Neil Broom (2005-011) 8Mark Richardson (1992-2001)
