Derbyshire beat Durham for first Championship win

Tasmania duo Michael Di Venuto and Chris Bassano swept Derbyshire to their first Championship victory for a year when they beat Durham by six wickets at Chester-le-Street.

Acting captain Di Venuto made 111, his highest Championship score for Derbyshire, before limping off and leaving Bassano to complete the task with 70 not out.

Kevin Dean took four wickets this morning to finish with six for 73 and match figures of ten for 105 as Durham were dismissed for 193.

That left Derbyshire a target of 224 and after the first day's washout the match finished with 2.5 overs of the third day remaining.

Pitch liaison officer Raman Subba Row had travelled up from London following the fall of 24 wickets yesterday. But he recommended that no further action be taken, acknowledging that two days of heavy rain had left some dampness, while atmospheric conditions had encouraged lavish swing.

There was much less swing today and after Martin Speight lofted a catch to long leg in the second over. the flimsy Durham tail mustered a further 119 runs with wicket-keeper Andrew Pratt hitting 13 fours in a career-best 68 not out.

Di Venuto scored most of the 17 fours in his 132-ball hundred from cover drives and pulls and dominated so much that he had scored 96 out of 129 at tea.

The stand was worth 92 when he retired with 75 still needed and Derbyshire were greatly indebted to Bassano for seeing them home as they lost four more wickets.

Rob Bailey edged Nicholas Hatch to first slip, then the 6ft 8in bowler had Graeme Welch lbw, Karl Krikken was run out going for a third and Trevor Smith edged the wayward Ian Hunter to Pratt.