Chesney Francis Hughes, a talented left-handed batsman and left-arm finger spinner, hails from England and made a mark in the world of cricket during his career. Born in Anguilla, Hughes became only the third Anguillan to play county cricket, following the footsteps of Omari Banks and Cardigan Connor, who was a former favorite of Hampshire.
Having caught the attention of John Morris, Derbyshire’s head of cricket, Chesney Hughes was recommended by Connor in early 2009 while he was showcasing his skills for Fleetwood in the North Lancashire League. This recommendation led to his debut for Derbyshire, where he showcased his tenacity and talents on the field.
In May 2010, Hughes made his first-class debut against Middlesex at Lord’s, facing a formidable attack that included the likes of Steven Finn, Tim Murtagh, and Iain O’Brien. With a gutsy knock of 41 runs, he displayed his resilience and determination. Just two weeks later, he achieved a milestone by scoring his maiden first-class century against Gloucestershire in a County Championship Division Two match at Derby. This remarkable century marked his fifth innings in the Championship, making him just 19 years old at the time.
Prior to his county career, Hughes honed his skills in youth cricket for Leeward Islands before debuting for Anguilla in the Stanford Twenty20 competition in 2006. Possessing a British passport, he made his way to England in 2009 and secured a place in Derbyshire’s Second XI. His impressive performances earned him a three-year contract with the county in June 2010. Notably, he qualified for both England and West Indies in 2013.
Although Hughes had two successful seasons in 2010 and 2011, his progress hit a roadblock in 2012. The team favored another player, Paul Borrington, for the Championship side, and inclement weather limited Hughes’ opportunities to impress in the Second XI. Even when Hughes regained his spot in June, it was short-lived as Usman Khawaja arrived as an overseas player and took his place.
However, Hughes had memorable moments during Derbyshire’s Division One campaign in 2013. In a sensational batting display, he scored an unbeaten 270 against Yorkshire at Headingley, which stands as the second-highest individual score in Derbyshire history. Despite adding another 366 runs in the Championship season, he emerged as Derbyshire’s top scorer in the 40-over game.
Unfortunately, his career faced difficulties in 2016 when unproductive contractual negotiations marred his season, despite impressively averaging 53 in the Championship. At the age of 25, Hughes was ultimately released from Derbyshire at the end of the season.
Chesney Hughes, a talented cricketer known for his tenacity at the crease and all-round abilities, has left his mark in the cricketing world. Despite the challenges he faced, his remarkable performances and achievements will remain etched in the annals of cricket history.
