GLOUCESTERSHIRE sent records tumbling as they secured only their second Friends Provident T20 win of the season in stunning fashion against Middlesex at Uxbridge on Sunday.

Opening batsmen Kevin O’Brien and Hamish Marshall both scored centuries in a 192-run partnership, which was the highest for any wicket in English Twenty20, as the Gladiators posted the highest domestic score in the format of the game in reaching 254-3.

The previous biggest total was Somerset’s 250-3 against Gloucestershire in 2006.

Only Sri Lanka have made a bigger total in world Twenty20 history when they made 260-6 against Kenya four years ago, while O’Brien and Marshall’s stand was the second highest ever in the format of the game, behind the 206 Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh put on for Kings XI Punjab against Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year’s Indian Premier League.

Ireland international O’Brien hit 11 sixes and seven fours in his 119 off 52 balls, while former New Zealand batsman Marshall hit 102 off 54 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes.

Jon Lewis then took 3-31 as Middlesex finished on 149-8, giving Gloucestershire their biggest margin of runs victory in Twenty20.

The win moved Gloucestershire off the bottom of the South group at Middlesex’s expense, but they still face a mountainous task to reach the quarter-finals with a five-point gap to make up on Kent, who currently occupy fourth place with seven games to go.

Gloucestershire start a crucial County Championship clash against Middlesex today, where they are looking to leapfrog their opponents into the second promotion spot, but skipper Alex Gidman has been ruled out with a thigh injury.

The T20 campaign will re-commence with a local derby against Somerset at Bristol on Friday (5.45pm), with an away game against Sussex to follow on Sunday.