Bassano makes history in thrilling draw

Chris Bassano made history when he became the first player to score a century in each innings on his Championship debut as Derbyshire and Gloucestershire fought out a thrilling draw at the County Ground.

The 25-year-old followed his 186 not out with 106 and almost set up Derbyshire's first Championship victory since August.

But Gloucestershire showed the qualities that have brought them so much one-day success in the last two years and came close to snatching a win in the closing overs.

Such drama looked unlikely at the start of the fourth day but Derbyshire declared on their overnight total of 432-5, 128 behind, and Gloucestershire then scored freely against some friendly bowling.

Dominic Hewson made his maiden first-class hundred and Barnett completed a second half-century against his former county before Mark Alleyne set Derbyshire a target of 306 in 69 overs.

Michael Di Venuto got them off to a brisk start but at tea, the game appeared to be heading for stalemate with the home side needing another 204 from 33 overs.

But Mathew Dowman and Bassano launched an assault which brought 68 runs from the next seven overs with Dowman sweeping Martyn Ball for six and driving Jeremy Snape for another on his way to a 47-ball fifty.

He then sliced Ball to point but Bassano kept Derbyshire on course for victory by scoring his second fifty off 59 balls.

Only 50 runs were needed from the last 10 overs but Alleyne produced a great spell which turned the game. The Gloucestershire captain bowled six overs which cost only 12 runs and earned him three wickets.

One of those was Bassano who drove to extra cover but Graeme Welch kept his side in the hunt until he was stumped for 45 trying to sweep Ball.

Derbyshire kept going for the runs but when Tim Munton, batting with a runner, was bowled swinging at the third ball of the last over, Lian Wharton and Luke Sutton were forced to settle for survival with fielders clustered around the bat.

It was a tremendous finale to the game which will always be remembered for the heroics of Bassano who was the first Derbyshire player to score a century in each innings of a match for five years.