Chesney Hughes continued his fine form to score an unbeaten half-century as Derbyshire and Sussex drew a rain-affected Specsavers County Championship fixture at The 3aaa County Ground.
After a total washout on Day Three, only 26 overs and three balls were possible on the final day which Derbyshire negotiated successfully, scoring 92-2 after Sussex had declared their first innings on 468-5.
Hughes’ fourth score of 50 or more of the season ensured that Derbyshire picked up their fourth consecutive draw and maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
Overnight rain had earlier caused almost half of the day to be lost to the elements. After an early lunch at 12.30pm, the umpires conducted an inspection at 1.10pm before deciding to look again at 2.00pm.
The outcome of the further inspection was that play would begin at 2.30pm with 51 overs remaining in the day. At this point, Sussex declared on 468-5, with a lead of 277 runs, leaving Derbyshire to bat out the remainder of the match.
Opening batsmen Billy Godleman and Hughes safely negotiated the 22 overs that were possible before tea. The latter played far more aggressively than his Captain to get through to his half-century from 73 balls just before the interval.
After tea, Godleman fell for 16 before Hamish Rutherford was out to the first delivery he faced but the rain arrived after 26.3 overs had been bowled and meant that play was abandoned for the day.
Derbyshire closed on 92-2 with Hughes 58 not out to take his tally of runs for the season to 466 at an average of 116.5 from the first four games.
The hosts took six points from the fixture, whilst Sussex took 13.
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