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CRICKET: Oxfordshire denied first win

From the The Oxford Times, first published Thursday 27th Jul 2006.

Oxfordshire put a disastrous first day behind them to come within a whisker of pulling off a remarkable victory in their Western Division match against Wiltshire at Salisbury.

After being bowled out for 120 on the first day, Oxon recovered so well thanks to Chris Smith's titanic century that they were able to set Wiltshire a victory target of 281.

When the hosts slumped to 73-6, Oxon seemed certain to record their first victory of the Championship campaign.

But Wiltshire's tail wagged strongly in good batting conditions and they held on for a draw at 222-8.

The visitors paid a heavy price for losing the toss on the first day as the ball moved around in the air.

The pacy Alex Senneck made the most of the conditions to take 4-37, Oxon falling to 120 all in 60.2 overs.

Jamie Hewitt top-scored with 42, but Smith and Ryan Newhook, with 21, were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

Wiltshire replied with 183-3 to finish firmly in the driving seat, but Oxon came back well on the second day, dismissing the home side for 284.

In only his second Championship match, 17-year-old left-arm spinner Luke Ryan returned 5-84 in 27 overs.

Veteran seamer Keith Arnold bowled unchanged throughout the morning session and finished with two wickets, as did Hewitt.

After negotiating two awkward overs before lunch, Oxon openers Smith and Simon Hole put on 34 in the second innings before Hole fell.

Smith and Hewitt then dominated play with a second-wicket stand of 161 to put the visitors in charge as they ended the day on 271-4, a lead of 107.

Smith was unbeaten overnight on 117, while Hewitt hit two sixes and ten fours in his 81.

The Banbury left-hander extended his century to 166 off 346 balls on the final day before he was dismissed.

Rob Williams supported him well with a stylish 62, while the necessary acceleration was provided by Richard Kaufman, who made 49 off 60 balls before being run out.

Oxon's declaration at 444-8 left Wiltshire a target of 281 in a minimum of 53 overs.

Hewitt made the inital breakthrough with two early wickets and the home side slumped to 73-6 in 22 overs.

To their credit, they kept going for the runs, and wicket-keeper Tom Morton and Richard Bedbrook shared a stand of 107 for the seventh wicket before Morton fell to Smith's occasional medium pace.

It was quite a game for Smith!

However, Oxon, who ended up bowling 60 overs, could not claim their eighth wicket until the fourth over from the end, and Wiltshire held out without alarm.

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