Another innings defeat for sad Derbyshire
by Alan Rowley, 8th September 2001

Watching and reporting on Derbyshire cricket this season has been hard work! It has been difficult to find any highlights to report on or find any positive aspects. There just aren't enough adjectives available to describe some of the depressing performances that have been witnessed. The Gloucestershire game was more of the same.

Day one of the game saw Gloucestershire win the toss and pile on the runs. Ian Harvey blasted the fastest first-class century of the season on a one-sided day. The Aussie batting at number five took just 61 balls to reach his century blasting 6 sixes and 12 fours along the way.

Opener Dominic Hewson scored a magnificent 168 in a 252 ball innings that included 29 boundaries. Hewson was dropped by Michael Di Venuto at second slip before he had troubled the scorers! Gloucestershire batted into day two to finish on 508 all out.

Derbyshire's first innings started well with Steve Stubbings (62) and Di Venuto (61) hitting a first wicket partnership of 122 in 20 overs. Di Venuto passed his 1,000 first-class runs for the season, confirming his improved form over recent weeks.

Once the openers were despatched to the pavilion, the familiar Derbyshire collapse again took place as the visitors crumpled to 210 all out. Martyn Ball followed his morning 59 with 6 for 23, a season's best for the off-spinner.

By close of the second day, Derbyshire were well on the way to defeat on 33 for 2 at their second attempt.

On day three, a superb 120 from Steve Stubbings wasn't enough to force the home side to bat again. Stubbings became the second Derbyshire batsman to top 1,000 runs for the season when he reached 94. A fine performance!

Unfortunately for Derbyshire, the rest of the batsmen couldn't follow Stubbings' example as they were dismissed for 278. Ian Harvey doing most damage with 5 for 89, whilst Bell took three more wickets to end with a match analysis of 9 for 90.

Another innings defeat in a thoroughly miserable season.