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2023 Grassroot Awards - Nominations are Open!

FEATURED POST

Oxfordshire Cricket is pleased to launch this year’s 2023 Grassroots Cricket Awards, which seeks to reward and recognise volunteers across Oxfordshire who have made a difference to their club or community group. After last year's success at holding the awards at Wormsley, this year we will again hold a large portion of the awards at the Finals Day and Pathway Awards. There will also be a range of additional events that we will look to reward and recognise volunteers. There are eleven award categories that will allow us to recognise and reward those in Oxfordshire that have made an outstanding contribution to cricket this year, be it a young volunteer who has gone over and above or a club that has excelled in opening up the game to a brand new audience this summer. The deadline for all nominations is Friday the 21st of July 2023. Last year after rewarding and recognising over 112 volunteers across Oxfordshire, this year we would like to go beyond that to reward and recognise those that help make a difference. The categories are as follows: Connecting Communities – A Club or community organisation that has gone above and beyond the call of cricket to support communities/groups coming back to the game we love. Inspired to play – An Individual or group within your club or community organisation going above and beyond to open the game up to new audiences. Rising Star Award – Young volunteer making a difference – 11 – 16-year-olds Game changer – Young volunteer 17 – 25-year-olds making a difference in the game. Unsung hero – Those heroes who impact our game and help us make cricket happen. This could be ground staff, coaches, officials, umpires, or other volunteers. Growing the game – A league volunteer, committee member, or administrator going above and beyond to support clubs and help increase the number of games played. Lifetime achiever – That one individual who has given many years of service to your club or community group you could not do without. Cricket innovators – Someone who has brought new ideas and/or implemented new systems to improve your club or community group. Safe Hands - An individual that has gone above and beyond to create a positive and inclusive environment for young people to enjoy the game Inclusivity champion award - Reward and recognise clubs that create an inclusive environment and go well beyond the norm to make cricket a game for all Tackling Climate Change - A Club or community organisation that is addressing the threat climate change poses to cricket, by making sustainable changes to operations, adapting their facilities and/or engaging their local community. Volunteer Grounds Management Team of the Year – An opportunity to reward and recognise those volunteers who are working hard and improving the places where the game is played All Stars Cricket and/or Dynamos Cricket Activator of the Year - An activator who has shown enthusiasm, has been innovative and organised at their All Stars and/or Dynamos Cricket sessions this summer. How Can You Nominate Someone? You can nominate someone by clicking here to complete an online form to nominate someone. The deadline for all nominations is Friday the 21st of July 2023, with the county winners being put forward for the national awards. Where will the awards take place? The awards will take place on Sunday the 17th of September 2023 at the magnificent Wormsley Estate as part of our Awards and Finals Day.
Ticket Information - Oxfordshire v Sussex at Wormsley - 30th July 2023

FEATURED POST

We are delighted to announce that we will welcome our first-class partner Sussex County Cricket Club on the 3oth of July for the annual showcase fixture against a first-class county. The match will take place at the magnificent Wormsley Estate. Entry to the match will be free to all, however, there will be a parking charge. A £6 ticket enables you to park one car at Wormsley, entry is free to all. Refreshments will be available to spectators which include but are not limited to tea, coffee, soft drinks, bar, food, bbq and ice cream. A VIP dining option will be available, more information will be released in the coming weeks. You can purchase tickets by clicking here
Summer Cricket Workshops - Book Your Place

FEATURED POST

We are delighted to let you know about the Summer Cricket Workshops for players that we are running during the Summer Holidays towards the end of July and the beginning of August. Week 1: Monday 24th July - Friday 28th of July at Cothill School Week 2: Monday 31st July - Friday 4th of August at St Edward’s School Week 3: Monday 7th of August - Friday 11th of August at The Dragon School We have scheduled a varied programme of workshops that targets a softball offering and a hardball offering. Every session is available for both Boys and Girls. Please see below a timetable of programme events, along with a booking link for each workshop. We ask that you please book carefully, making sure you choose the correct session for your child’s age. Workshop Programme Below is the programme of events, including booking links for each session. For further information on each session, please see a description of each below the programme of events. Week 1 - Cothill House Day Date Workshop Age Group Time Venue Capacity Player Charge Booking Link Monday 24/7/2023 Softball U5-U10 09:00 - 12:00 Cothill House School 32 £24.00 Book Here Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 Cothill House School 24 £30.00 Tuesday 25/7/2023 Softball U5-U10 09:00 - 12:00 Cothill House School 32 £24.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 Cothill House School 24 £30.00 Wednesday 26/7/2023 Softball U5-U10 09:00 - 12:00 Cothill House School 32 £24.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 Cothill House School 24 £30.00 Thursday 27/7/2023 Softball U5-U10 09:00 - 12:00 Cothill House School 32 £24.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 Cothill House School 24 £30.00 Friday 28/7/2023 Softball U5-U10 09:00 - 12:00 Cothill House School 32 £24.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 Cothill House School 24 £30.00 Week 2 - St Edward's School Day Date Workshop Age Group Time Venue Capacity Player Charge Booking Link Monday 31/7/2023 Softball U5-U10 09:00 - 12:00 St Edward's School 32 £24.00 Book Here Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 St Edward's School 24 £30.00 Tuesday 1/8/2023 Softball U5-U10 09:00 - 12:00 St Edward's School 32 £24.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 St Edward's School 24 £30.00 Wednesday 2/8/2023 Softball U5-U10 09:00 - 12:00 St Edward's School 32 £24.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 St Edward's School 24 £30.00 Thursday 3/8/2023 Softball U5-U10 09:00 - 12:00 St Edward's School 32 £24.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 St Edward's School 24 £30.00 Friday 4/8/2023 Softball U5-U10 09:00 - 12:00 St Edward's School 32 £24.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 St Edward's School 24 £30.00 Week 3 - The Dragon School Day Date Workshop Age Group Time Venue Capacity Player Charge Booking Link Monday 7/8/2023 Hardball U8-U13 09:00 - 12:00 The Dragon School 24 £30.00 Book Here Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 The Dragon School 24 £30.00 Tuesday 8/8/2023 Hardball U8-U13 09:00 - 12:00 The Dragon School 24 £30.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 The Dragon School 24 £30.00 Wednesday 9/8/2023 Hardball U8-U13 09:00 - 12:00 The Dragon School 24 £30.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 The Dragon School 24 £30.00 Thursday 10/8/2023 Hardball U8-U13 09:00 - 12:00 The Dragon School 24 £30.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 The Dragon School 24 £30.00 Friday 11/8/2023 Hardball U8-U13 09:00 - 12:00 The Dragon School 24 £30.00 Hardball U8-U13 13:00 - 16:00 The Dragon School 24 £30.00 Booking Information Please note that spaces will be limited at all workshops and will be booked on a first-come first served basis. Once all the places are booked the session will no longer be available to make a booking. Player Requirements Players need to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for indoor and outdoor cricket coaching environments. For hardball sessions - Players MUST bring their own HARD BALL playing equipment. No playing equipment will be available to borrow or share. For softball sessions - There will be equipment that is accessible to players to use Players should also bring a water bottle, meals or snacks and medical equipment as appropriate. If you have any specific questions regarding these please do not hesitate to contact - Nick Pinhol at NPinhol@oxoncb.com

St Helen and St Katharine ECB Schools Indoor National Finals

02/06/2023

Two days at Lord’s in the same week in one year was an experience not to be forgotten in 2022, with last year’s U13 and U15 teams finishing 2nd and 4th. This year’s teams progressed through both county and regional rounds undefeated, so once again we were at Lord’s for back to back days at the ECB Indoor Cricket National Finals. Day 1 Tuesday 23 May U13 Finals Our U13 team was joined by Ashford, Sedbergh, Ipswich and The Island Free schools, who had made it through from an original field of around 900 entries. It was a day full of high standard cricket, massive ups and downs, tense moments, but smiles, enjoyment and a true feeling of team spirit and togetherness. Game 1 saw us playing Ashford, in a game which turned out to be between the top two teams: SHSK setting 94 to win and Ashford falling just two short in a nervous finish. Game 2 was a more comfortable victory with a ruthless bowling performance, bowling Sedbergh out for 23 and comfortably surpassing their score, finishing on 107-6. Game 3 was then between the two unbeaten teams of the day, Ipswich and SHSK. Another toss lost and we set 92 to win, only for a last ball thriller… needing 4 to win Ipswich scored 3 to result in a tie, leading to flurries of panic and tallying up runs scored on the day to work out the repercussions of this result. The final round of fixtures saw Ashford play Ipswich and SHSK play the Island Free School, with all results still possible for three of the four sides. Ashford set Ipswich 135 to win (the highest total of the day), leaving SHSK in a position where it looked like victory in our game would be enough to secure the title. With a nervy bowling performance we were set 92 to win and an even nervier start to our batting performance saw two of our top three batters dismissed. The depth and determination in the squad shone through with the middle order taking us over the line with five balls remaining. An Ipswich loss to Ashford meant SHSK were the only unbeaten side on the day and outright winners, unlike last year’s countback on runs scored! Whilst there were many highlight performances on the pitch, Mary, Emily and Niamh all retiring in three games and standout bowling performances from Emma and Marney throughout the day, every single member of the squad contributed in every game, whether it be with fast scoring cameos from Ellie and Scarlett, or nerve-settling batting from Olivia and Eleanor, every member of the squad should feel truly proud of their contributions. However, the remarkable qualities of this squad are the fun, togetherness and supportive environment they create for each other, which is then backed up by truly outstanding performance. Day 2 Wednesday 24 May U15 Finals With day 1 and the U13 competition behind us (and an emotionally exhausted coach!), day 2 was suddenly upon us and the turn of the U15 team. Five of the team had been part of last year’s team at the same event, so had experienced it all before, but this didn’t settle any nerves - if anything, it built more expectation. In hindsight, the symmetry between day 1 and day 2 were alarming. First match was against Repton, eventual runners-up, who we knew to be a very strong side, with their former county teammate captaining the side. SHSK were put into bat first and did so in a self-assured confident manner, setting 96 against a strong Repton bowling side who gave only 5 extras in their 8 overs. But as ever with this squad, they can always rely on their bowling, which was tight, consistent, and threatening; Repton fell 7 runs short with all five bowlers for SHSK taking wickets. Similarly to day 1, our second game against Stamford was a more one sided affair, SHSK limiting them to 66 and whilst trying to make hard work of a straightforward chase, got through comfortably in the end to go onto their tour of Lord’s with two wins under their belt. Game 3 after lunch we played Cardiff Cathedral School, who had come through a very tough regional round and were a relative unknown having only played and won one game in the morning. Another toss won and another manageable total to chase, 74 this time round, and we got off to a flyer with our top three all retiring. Unfortunately we then suffered a middle order collapse ensuring there was no relaxation allowed, but again a reflection of depth within the squad saw us over the line. The final game and unlike the previous day the situation was simple: win to win. Playing a familiar opposition in St Swithun’s, who we had played outdoors in the National Cup and in a weekend block fixture, St Swithun’s put on their best batting display of the day. Combined with some nervous bowling, we were set 96 to win, a chaseable but challenging total. Once again, similarly to the day before, we showed early nerves losing a couple of quick wickets, but Sophia H and Georgia P both retired, allowing the lower order to progress the scoring rate. Tension on the sidelines from Head of Cricket, Director of Sport and Headmistress were evident, but they were acting cool, as were the players. Georgia and Sophia returned after strong contributions from the lower order and saw it through with five balls left. There were premature celebrations from the sidelines, as we had to bat out the rest of the innings for competition purposes, as Georgia played a reverse sweep and a scoop overflowing with confidence. A truly special way to end their indoor cricket campaign and with no competition for the U18s the last time all but one would play in the competition. There are many similarities between the two squads, in their performances, team spirit and togetherness, but as individuals they are two hugely different squads, both brilliant in their own right. Once again every member of the squad contributed hugely, Flick R-W with bat (retiring in three games) and gloves, Rosie H retiring twice and being a calming influence all day for the team, Nicole H, the only Year 9 in the squad retiring twice, the middle/ lower batting order all-rounders Evelyn H, Emilia H, Ceci B and Amelia R who in every game offered both disciplines and succeeding in one, the other or both every game, and the aforementioned Georgia P (Captain) and Sophia H (Vice Captain), this squad have worked so hard all year, attended training religiously and do everything with a smile on their face, and they do it together! The two days will stand long in the memories of the coaches, teachers, parents and players who attended and what a fantastic opportunity for those involved. “Double ECB National Indoor Cricket Champions” has a great ring to it, and we look forward to trying to defend both titles next year, with some familiar faces, but some new ones too!
Oxfordshire Seniors 60s 3rd XI Match Report - 2nd June

02/06/2023

Tuesday 30 May at Great Alne CC Having been inserted, the hosts got off to a good start against some accurate bowling by Oxon’s openers Nigel Walker and Graham Nelson, reaching 42-1 from the first ten overs. Accurate spells from Ran De Silva and Nick Warry pegged Warks back before two quick wickets from Hugo Ritson-Thomas left them on 99-5. Some lusty leg-side blows in a 50 run partnership put the home side back on course and they closed on 180-7 from their 45 overs with Nelson taking 3-37 and Ritson-Thomas 3-51. Warwickshire’s tall opening bowler Paton found some steep bounce and his three early wickets left Oxon reeling at 9-3. Derek Watts and Chris Butcher shared a stand of 59 before both were out in consecutive overs leaving the visitors 68-5 at the halfway point. Graham Nelson shared two 40 run partnerships with Hugo Ritson-Thomas and Ran De Silva before a run-out left Oxon needing 17 to win from the last four overs with the last pair at the wicket. The 42nd over was a maiden, adding to the tension, and the final over started with four needed and last man Nigel Walker facing. He lofted the first ball into the leg-side and his watching teammates assumed he would take a single and leave Graham Nelson on strike. But no! Nigel scampered a second run and took the responsibility of hitting the winning runs which he did off the third ball to leave Oxfordshire victors by 1 wicket with half an over to spare. An excellent team effort ensured a nail-biting finish and keep Oxon in second place in the table; they host leaders Wales at East & West Hendred CC next Tuesday.
Oxfordshire Seniors 50s 2nd XI Match Report - 2nd June

02/06/2023

Oxon 50+ 2nd XI began the 2023 season on 3rd May with a 3 wicket win against Notts at Radcliffe on Trent CC. Oxon dismissed Notts for 139 in 44.0 overs, with Carl Needham taking 3 – 32. Oxon reached the target making 140 – 7 with 4 overs to spare., Andy Thomas top scoring with 36 runs. Oxon 50+ 2nd XI then travelled to Cropston CC on 17th May to play Leics who batted first and set an imposing target in scoring 274 – 3 in their 45 overs. Oxon made a spirited reply, but ended up just short on 262 – 6 losing by 12 runs, led by Ross Buchanan (65 not out in 46 balls), Jonny Atkins (79) and Andy Cross(50 in 47 balls). A remarkable co-incidence in the Oxon 50+ 2nd XI next match v Herts at Aston Rowant CC on 25th May saw both teams total runs differ by just one run from the previous match v Leics, resulting in the same result --- a 12 run defeat which ended a run of 8 consecutive wins against Herts in past seasons. Oxon were without 4 regular bowlers as Herts ran up 275 – 5 off their 45 overs with Matt Todd taking 3 – 35. Oxon nearly reached the target, ending with 263 all out, the 10th wicket falling off the last ball of the innings. Andy Cross (86 runs) and Mark Sheehan (70 runs) top scored for Oxon. Report by Neil Harris (Scorer for Oxon 50+ 2nd XI}