Chesney Hughes scored the eighth first-class century of his career as the Specsavers County Championship match between Gloucestershire and Derbyshire at Bristol ended in a draw.
The 25-year-old backed up his 96 in the first innings with a superb unbeaten hundred as Derbyshire put the Gloucestershire attack to the sword and batted throughout the final day.
Also in the runs on the final day were Hamish Rutherford – who hit 78 during a 174-run partnership with Hughes – and Wayne Madsen who was 27 not out as the visitors declared on 260-2 to end the match as a draw.
Elite Performance Director, Graeme Welch said: “In the end the pitch was the only winner. It didn’t offer much for the seamers or the spinners even at the end.
“It was quite turgid cricket in the end, which was disappointing, but we have had some good performances with the bat and we can learn from what we did with the ball.
“We had plans for bowling at all their batsmen, especially Dent, yet it took us until he was on 150 to work out what lengths to employ to him. The positive is that a lot of batsmen made runs and we move on.”
Starting the second innings 119 runs behind, Hughes opened the batting with Ben Slater and Derbyshire had an early scare as Slater was run out for six when Hughes’ straight drive was deflected onto Slater’s stumps at the non-striker’s end.
There was, however, to be no more wickets during a morning session which was dominated by the batsmen. Hughes had been joined at the crease by Rutherford and the pair set about getting their side almost to parity at the lunch break.
Hughes and Rutherford reached their half-centuries either side of the break – Hughes’ second of the game came from just 75 balls whilst Rutherford’s was off 107 balls just after Derbyshire had achieved a lead.
After his first 50 had come in relatively quick time, Hughes played more conservatively during the afternoon but still reached his eighth first-class century before tea which came from 194 balls.
62.2: CENTURY! What a match for @ChesneyH22! 96 in the first innings, now a century from 194 balls! #GLOvDER #P2bD pic.twitter.com/L5NMM3jarK
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 20, 2016
Rutherford could not get to three-figures though, as he was well-caught at short cover by Chris Dent off Jack Taylor for 78 from 142 balls with 10 fours to end the second wicket stand with Hughes at 174.
Madsen came in at four for the visitors and, alongside Hughes, batted until the Captains decided to shake hands on a draw at 4.50pm.
Derbyshire finished on 260-2 declared, leading by 141, with Hughes unbeaten on 137 and Madsen 27 not out and the visitors return to The 3aaa County Ground with eight points from their first Specsavers County Championship match of the season.
Click HERE to view scorecard.
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