NEWPORT-born Dan Cherry hopes his record-breaking double hundred for Glamorgan against Middlesex has finally put his first-class career on the map and silenced the doubters.

The 25-year-old left-hander has been in and out of the Glamorgan side for the past seven years and had wondered whether 2005 would be his last season for the county.

Cherry said : "It has been a frustrating career until this year. I have had the odd chance but then been discarded after a couple of games. I did go into this season thinking it might be my last, and that has probably helped me in a way. I have been relaxed about my cricket whereas before I have probably been a bit more intense.''

As well as Cherry, David Hemp and Jonathan Hughes also passed three figures. Hughes 212-ball unbeaten century was also a career best and ended a dreadful run of four ducks in eight innings. But Cherry's 226 at Southgate yesterday - the highest maiden hundred by a Glamorgan player - has boosted his wavering cricket career.

It was also the biggest score by a Glamorgan batsman against Middlesex.

And his seven-hour vigil, along with centuries for David Hemp and Jonathan Hughes, helped Glamorgan to a score of 584-3 declared - the highest score by the county against Middlesex.

Before this season Cherry - although Gwent born was raised in Pembrokeshire where his parents live - had a career best of 47 but a back spasm to Matthew Elliott at The Oval gave him a chance to resurrect his faltering career.

He equalled that best with 47 and then registered 87 against Sussex at Swansea, good preparation for yesterday's 349-ball innings which included 32 fours and two sixes.

Cherry added: "It's amazing how you chances come and when I was called up for The Oval when Matthew was injured there was no pressure on me. I always thought I had a big score in me but it was a case getting the chance.