Brilliant hundred by Championship debutant Bassano
Chris Bassano announced his arrival on the Championship stage with a brilliant unbeaten 186 that steered Derbyshire past the follow-on target at the County Ground
Nigel Gardner
22-Jun-2001
Chris Bassano announced his arrival on the
Championship stage with a brilliant unbeaten 186 that
steered Derbyshire past the follow-on target at the
County Ground.
The 25-year-old made the highest score on Championship
debut by a Derbyshire batsman and has so far been at
the crease for 13 minutes short of nine hours without
offering a chance.
It was a highly impressive demonstration of
concentration and application by the South African-born player whose only previous first-class appearance
was against the Pakistan tourists last month.
Last season, he played second XI cricket for three
counties including Gloucestershire and made an
unbeaten 100 for the West Country club who endorsed
his potential when Bassano was recommended to
Derbyshire by his father Brian.
He certainly looked the part and his innings will have
given the county a huge lift after some poor batting
displays this summer.
He shared a stand of 202 with Steve Stubbings who made
126 and added another 110 with Rob Bailey. Bassano,
who went to university in Tasmania and holds a British
passport, brought up the 411 follow-on target with a
square cut boundary and has so far hit 27 fours and
two sixes.
Derbyshire had taken only five batting points this
season - the lowest in the Championship - but they
tucked away another four in this innings of 432-5
which represents their highest total of the season.
Once again, the pitch provided nothing for any of the
bowlers and, so far, 992 runs have been scored for the
loss of only 13 wickets and a draw on the final day
looks inevitable.