The former Oxfordshire player Andrew Hichens died recently aged 89. He played 37 matches
for Oxfordshire from 1957-1964 taking 134 wickets at an average of 19.71 with best figures
of 7-41 against Bucks at Morris Motors in 1957. He was awarded his county cap at the end of
his first season. In 1958 Hichens played in every match and was a member of the team that
earned the right to challenge Yorkshire II for the Minor Counties title. Oxfordshire were well
beaten but Hichens had the satisfaction of bowling the future England Test player Phil Sharpe
for six.
His former county colleague Mike Nurton has sent this appreciation: “Andrew Hitchens sadly
played far too few games for Oxfordshire.  He was a genuinely quick bowler who could
prove particularly difficult to handle in the days of uncovered wickets and no helmets.  When
Oxfordshire played ten two-day games during the month of August it proved particularly
difficult for farmers such as Andrew to abandon his work and commit his energy to playing
cricket.  I know how much he was rated in Oxfordshire Cricket and also by opponents in the
Minor Counties league.  My major recollection is of playing with Andrew at Henley against
Dorset.  It was at the start of my career and I had only previously heard of his reputation.  It
was very soon apparent that he was all that I had heard to be true.  He was friendly, fun and
modest and of course a damn fine bowler.”
Hichens played three first class matches when at Oxford University but did not win a blue.
His club cricket was for Oxford City, Oxford Downs and the SOA and he played several
matches for the Oxfordshire 50+ team.