da realsbet： Chris Bassano made history when he became the firstplayer to score a century in each innings onhis Championship debut as Derbyshire and Gloucestershirefought out a thrilling draw at the County Ground
Nigel Gardner23-Jun-2001Chris Bassano made history when he became the firstplayer to score a century in each innings onhis Championship debut as Derbyshire and Gloucestershirefought out a thrilling draw at the County Ground.The 25-year-old followed his 186 not out with 106 andalmost set up Derbyshire’s first Championship victorysince August.But Gloucestershire showed the qualities that havebrought them so much one-day success in the last twoyears and came close to snatching a win in the closingovers.Such drama looked unlikely at the start of the fourthday but Derbyshire declared on their overnight totalof 432-5, 128 behind, and Gloucestershire then scoredfreely against some friendly bowling.Dominic Hewson made his maiden first-class hundred andBarnett completed a second half-century against hisformer county before Mark Alleyne set Derbyshire atarget of 306 in 69 overs.Michael Di Venuto got them off to a brisk start but attea, the game appeared to be heading for stalematewith the home side needing another 204 from 33 overs.But Mathew Dowman and Bassano launched an assaultwhich brought 68 runs from the next seven overs withDowman sweeping Martyn Ball for six and driving JeremySnape for another on his way to a 47-ball fifty.He then sliced Ball to point but Bassano keptDerbyshire on course for victory by scoring his secondfifty off 59 balls.Only 50 runs were needed from the last 10 overs butAlleyne produced a great spell which turned the game.The Gloucestershire captain bowled six overs whichcost only 12 runs and earned him three wickets.One of those was Bassano who drove to extra cover butGraeme Welch kept his side in the hunt until he wasstumped for 45 trying to sweep Ball.Derbyshire kept going for the runs but when TimMunton, batting with a runner, was bowled swinging atthe third ball of the last over, Lian Wharton and LukeSutton were forced to settle for survival withfielders clustered around the bat.It was a tremendous finale to the game which willalways be remembered for the heroics of Bassano whowas the first Derbyshire player to score a century ineach innings of a match for five years.