The Otago Daily Times counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport.
No 37: Sutcliffe belts Auckland for 355 (1949-50)
Forty-five years after his last perfectly-timed leg glance, and 10 years after his death, Sutcliffe remains one of Otago's most beloved sportsmen.
In the summer of 1949-1950, the immensely talented left-hander was at the top of his game.
He had not long returned from the 1949 tour of England, where he plundered 2627 runs. The same bat he used to flay the various English attacks for about 1000 of those runs was employed again.
This time, Sutcliffe was playing for Otago in a Plunket Shield game against Auckland at Carisbrook beginning on December 31.
Same bat - same result.
He scored another 131 runs before he was forced to retired his trusted blade, having split it. Even the middle of the bat, it seems, can only take some much punishment.
Sutcliffe was far from done, though. Having played patiently and having treated Auckland's attack with due respect, he gradually unleashed a dizzy array of shots midway through the opening day.
"The drives flowed from his bat with perfect timing and power," the Otago Daily Times reported.
"He placed the ball at will" in a "masterly display" which featured impeccable footwork and exquisite shots all round the wicket.
The runs kept coming - 355 in all - and the records kept tumbling. He swept past his previous best of 243 - scored against Essex only months earlier - and then eclipsed Bill Carson's total of 290 to set the ground record.
The next target in his sights was the New Zealand first-class record - Roger Blunt's undefeated innings of 338.
He hooked a delivery from Joe Hardstaff to the fence to equal the mark and then dispatched Francis Hemmingson through the on side to claim the record.
Looking to force the pace even more, Sutcliffe was finally undone, bowled by James Blane.
Despite his best efforts, weather intervened and the game was drawn.
When stumps were drawn, a brash young lad approached Sutcliffe and asked if he could buy his split bat.
The great man gave the boy a smile and the bat to boot.
A magnificent innings and a magnanimous gesture.
