Master blaster Joel Abraham has thanked his opening partner for helping him to achieve a new East Anglian Premier League record by not losing his wicket.

The Swardeston overseas star says Daniel Martin's role in helping him to score his record 221 not out should not be underestimated.

Martin contributed 70 to a club record 310-run opening stand as Swardeston swept aside Clacton by 10 wickets to climb into second spot.

'It made a huge difference because if you lose a wicket you have to reassess. At the end of the day it would not have happened like it did,' said the 21-year-old New Zealander.

Abraham, who plays for Canterbury second team, said he was shocked to achieve the record. 'It's nice to get it in my first season over here but I didn't really set out to achieve it.'

His amazing chanceless innings, which took a mere 145 balls and included six sixes and 27 fours, beat the 220 scored by ex- Leicestershire star Jacques du Toit for Godmanchester against Maldon in 2005.

It was Abraham's second EAPL century following 115 in 130 balls against Sudbury.

Asked if there was plenty more in the tank, the free-scoring right hander laughed: 'Who knows?'

'My only target is just to enjoy my cricket, he said.

Reflecting on the game, he added: 'You don't expect to get that many every day. It was a good wicket to bat on and the main thing is we won. I can be a bit aggressive but I don't normally hit that many sixes.

'The main difference in standard over here is that there are probably not as many quick bowlers as I face in New Zealand so that makes it easier for me. The pitches have been hard and the weather has been dry which makes it harder for the bowlers.'

He is enjoying life with Swardeston, who travel to struggling Halstead on Saturday.

'It's a nice place and the people at the club have looked after me,' he said.

Abraham's unbeaten 221 was not quite good enough to claim the Swardeston club individual record which is held by Will Rist for his unbeaten 231 at Great Witchingham in the Carter Cup first round in 2009.

But it was the only double hundred ever scored at Swardeston Common. The previous best score there was the 196 scored by Peter Thomas against Caister in the 1970s.

• TIMELINE: How the match unfolded

10:30: Swardeston's skipper Mark Thomas wins toss, decides to field.

11:00: Clacton start their innings.

13:14: Garth Davson completes century.

13:15: Lunch, Clacton 169-2.

15:20: Clacton innings finishes 308-7 (66 overs)

15:30: Joel Abraham and Daniel Martin come out to bat.

16:00: Abraham reaches 50.

16:42: Abraham completes his century with a six over mid-wicket.

17:00: Tea, Abraham 121 not out.

17:41: Abraham reaches 150.

17.55: Martin reaches half century.

18:07: Club record opening partnership at 251-0.

18:11: Abraham passes Matt Sinclair's 178 (Previous highest individual score for Swardeston in EAPL).

18:24: Abraham breaks Common record.

18:26: Club record partnership passed at 285-0.

18:28: Abraham completes double century with a straight drive for four to the pavilion steps.

18:37: Abraham hits four to reach the target and a record 221no in 49.3 overs.