GRAHAM Napier smashed a record-equalling 16 sixes on his way to a remarkable 196 from 130 balls in Essex's LV= County Championship clash against Surrey at Croydon.

Napier equalled the record for the most sixes in a first-class set by Andrew Symonds for Gloucestershire against Glamorgan in 1995 before he was last man out in Essex's 548.

The 31-year-old, who also holds the record for most sixes in a Twenty20 match, flayed the Surrey attack after reaching his century in 102 balls, as he then thrashed 96 from his next 28 deliveries.

The secondary onslaught included 11 sixes and four boundaries as he continued his remarkable return from a long-term back injury, having taken a hat-trick in a Clydesdale Bank 40 match with Glamorgan earlier this month.

Napier was narrowly denied his double century when he was caught behind to give Stuart Meaker his fourth wicket.