HEREFORDSHIRE and Oxfordshire try to conjure up a result in their opening three-day NCCA Western Division 1 clash at Eastnor.

13 Jul 2023   |   By Richard Prime

HEREFORDSHIRE and Oxfordshire tried hard to conjure up a decisive result in their opening three-day NCCA Western Division 1 clash at Eastnor.

But ultimately, a series of interruptions due to the weather over all three days proved too difficult an obstacle to overcome and the game ended in a draw.

Oxfordshire were quickly out of the traps after winning the toss and electing to bat with former Herefordshire opener Jamie Harrison, who hit six fours and two sixes in a 58-ball 52, leading the way as the visitors reached 150-2.

But the hosts battled back strongly and with Roshan Venkataraman (4-93), debutant Sam Keeling-Wright (3-51), Zak Abbas (2-28) and skipper Matt Pardoe (1-55) sharing the wickets, Oxfordshire were dismissed for 271.

Although Jujhar Johal fell quickly, the Herefordshire reply prospered as Connor Smith (78) and Ollie Rogoff (59) posted a second-wicket stand of 124, a county best at Eastnor.

However, the remaining batting fell away horribly as only Pardoe (17) and Barney Morgan (17) reached double figures before the home side were dismissed for 216.

The regular rain breaks meant, unfortunately, that it was already almost at the tea interval on the final day before the sides’ first innings were completed, leaving little prospect of a result.

Oxfordshire scored quickly second time around in a bid to set a realistic target with Harrison smashing five sixes in his 43.

But with Smith (3-38), Keeling-Wright (2-34) and Venkataraman (1-51) taking wickets regularly, the hosts called a halt to their innings at

126-6 from 17.3 overs, leaving Herefordshire a victory target of 182.

This ultimately proved beyond them in the time remaining although it presented Rogoff (32) with a chance for some big-hitting with four sixes – three of them in four balls – before Herefordshire called off the chase after reaching 58-2 in 10.2 overs.

Herefordshire are next in action when they travel to take on Cheshire at Alderley Edge on July 23.

CAPTION: Roshan Venkataraman picked up four first-innings wickets for Herefordshire. (pic from @RogerBPhotos)