Hughes slams century in Derbyshire draw

LONDON, CMC – Left-hander Chesney Hughes struck his second first class hundred in three games and the ninth of his career, as Derbyshire’s encounter with Northamptonshire in the English County Championship finished in a tame draw here yesterday.

The Leeward Islands Hurricanes player was unbeaten on 109, a knock which pushed the visitors up to 229 for one declared in their second innings in Northampton.

Hughes, who gathered modest scores for Hurricanes in the WICB Regional Super50 last January, has been in brilliant form since the start of the County season last month.

The 25-year-old Anguillian struck 96 and 137 against Gloucestershire in the season opener and scored 39 in the current game against Northants.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes left-hander Chesney Hughes.

Resuming the final day here on 438 for seven in their first innings, the hosts were dismissed for 470, with South African Richard Levi converting his overnight unbeaten 84 into 104 – his seventh first class hundred.

Trailing by 146 on first innings, Derbyshire ensured there would be no surprises as Hughes and captain Billy Godleman, who made 94, put on 215 for the first wicket.

Hughes was dominant, striking 13 fours and two sixes, in an innings spanning 182 balls and just over four hours at the crease.

At Southampton, Barbados and ex-West Indies speedster Tino Best took his first wicket of the game as Hampshire and Middlesex also played to a draw.