Otago opener Hamish Rutherford emerged from the shadows of his father and uncle, with a spectacular innings of 239 against Wellington at the University Oval yesterday.
Rutherford is the third member of his family to crack a first-class double century for Otago, joining father Ken and uncle Ian.
Ken scored an undefeated 226 for Otago against India at Carisbrook in January 1990, and Ian scored 222 against Central Districts at Pukekura Park in March 1979.
But the 22-year-old left-hander eclipsed both those efforts with his superb innings.
"I'm a bit stuffed, really," Rutherford said shortly after yesterday's mammoth effort.
The emotion of what he had achieved was still sinking in.
"It probably won't sink in for a few days. At the moment I'm just drained mentally, I suppose. I don't know how long I batted for, but it was a long time."
Eight hours and 26 minutes to be as precise as one of his drives. However, Rutherford needed a little help on 152 when he was caught off a no-ball and he offered a sharp chance moments later when he hit a lofted drive through the covers.
But otherwise it was an innings of patience and excellence. Those lucky enough to witness it were treated to something special.
Records tumbled steadily as his score mounted. His 216-run partnership with Derek de Boorder was an Otago sixth-wicket record, eclipsing the previous mark set by Glenn Turner and Warren Lees, of 165 against Wellington in 1975-76.
And he now holds the ground record, overtaking Peter Fulton's innings of 221 not out.
He was the ninth player to score a double century for Otago and it was the seventh-highest individual innings for the province. Only three batsmen - Bert Sutcliffe, Roger Blunt and Matt Horne - have made higher scores for Otago.
In Wellington, Williamson's 102 helped New Zealand avoid defeat in the third test against South Africa.
He came in with the team two wickets for one run and with captain Ross Taylor out injured. The team slumped to 5/87 before two stubborn partnerships saw New Zealand to stumps.
Williamson, aged only 21, has now scored two test centuries.
After scoring 607 runs this month, it might not be too long before Rutherford joins Williamson and emulates his father as a national representative.
