Oxfordshire Cricket is pleased to announce the women’s squad selected to play against Berkshire on Sunday 11th of June in a match at Wraysbury in Berkshire, with the match starting at 11.00 am:
Abi Norgrove
Abi Currie
Emilia Bartram
Numa Shah
Ellie BATH
Ellie INGRAM
Izzy KIRBY
Genny PORTER
Katie WAUGH
Chloe WESTBURY
Carla WOOD
Becca WOODNORTH
With bad September weather, fading light and the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, last year’s inaugural U13 Hundred semi-finals and final were postponed into this season with all players from last season being eligible to take part.
On a sunny warm early June day, the finals day was held at Abingdon School, Coxes Field on Sunday 4th of June.
The first semi-final saw Wolvercote beat Sandford St Martin by 83 runs. Batting first, Wolvercote set 159/2 from their 100 balls with Cowley and Du Plessis scoring 72 and 66 respectively to post a competitive total. In response, Sandford St Martin lost early wickets. Captain Gardner posted 33 not out as his side finished 76/8 from their allocated balls. The pick of the bowlers for Wolvercote was Gibbons who finished with figures of 5-3 from 20 balls.
Semi-final two took place shortly after, with Goring and Cumnor looking to progress to the final. Goring batted first, and posted a very competitive 137/3 from their 100 balls – Logan’s 36* and Richards’ 44 being the main contributors. Cumnor got off to a nervy start, falling to 29-3. Nicholson strode to the crease and scored 84 from 43 – with a six on the 97th ball of the game winning it for his side. His partner Spokes must also be commended for his contribution of a run a ball 26 which saw Cumnor progress to the final.
After a short break, the final got underway, with Wolvercote again batting first. Robinson’s 63 from 35 was the pick of the innings, with cameos from his teammates helping their side to 135/7. Needing another masterclass from one of their key players, Cumnor sent Davies and Nicholson out to open in the hope that they could see their side over the line. Unfortunately, that was not to be the case, with them falling for 20 and 33 respectively. Spokes and Cobner-Vale attempted to rally and did so successfully for a while until both fell foul of the chase and lost their wickets. Cumnor finished on 117/8, a mere 18 runs short with Wolvercote being crowned champions.
The presentation of the trophy and medals was conducted by Joe Clapton (Finals Day Manager for the day) and Chris Mitty (Director at Oxfordshire Cricket) who thanked Abingdon School for hosting, the umpires, coaches, scorers and all the teams for a great day of cricket. Thank you to all clubs who competed in this first year of the Competition, and we look forward to seeing more great cricket over the summer.
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:
threat climate change poses to cricket, by making sustainable changes to operations, adapting their facilities and/or engaging their local community.
recognise those volunteers who are working hard and improving the places where the game is played
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.
On a very hot day at Didcot, Oxfordshire won the toss and decided to field. The wicket was soft after a thunderstorm the previous evening had, according to the groundsman, “turned the field into a lake!” Somerset started steadily but slowly. When their second wicket fell, the score was only 114-2 in the 35th over. Their opening bat Julian Harvey had scored 52 off 126 balls. The need to increase the scoring rate was not achieved until the number six batsman, Richard Ford, arrived at the crease and struck 36 from 23 balls. However even his efforts only took the score to 187-6, seemingly a lower score than might have been expected on a wicket that had played well. All the Oxfordshire bowlers had bowled a good line and length, the pick probably being Alan Weaver whose miserly spell brought figures on 9-1-21-1.
If Oxfordshire thought that the target would be straightforward, they soon realised that this was not the case. The first 3 wickets fell inside 7 overs, all 3 batsmen being bowled for ducks! At this stage Steve Roberts joined skipper Andy Haynes and they managed to recover the situation. They both scored freely around the wicket and the total moved forward. Haynes was dropped once, on 35, but unperturbed went on to score an excellent 82 off 80 balls with 11 fours. The score was 131 when he was out but then Steve Roberts continued his fine form to win the match with over 11 overs remaining. He made a magnificent 89 not out with 12 fours off just 83 balls.
On a very hot day at Didcot, Oxfordshire won the toss and decided to field. The wicket was soft after a thunderstorm the previous evening had, according to the groundsman, “turned the field into a lake!” Somerset started steadily but slowly. When their second wicket fell, the score was only 114-2 in the 35th over. Their opening bat Julian Harvey had scored 52 off 126 balls. The need to increase the scoring rate was not achieved until the number six batsman, Richard Ford, arrived at the crease and struck 36 from 23 balls. However even his efforts only took the score to 187-6, seemingly a lower score than might have been expected on a wicket that had played well. All the Oxfordshire bowlers had bowled a good line and length, the pick probably being Alan Weaver whose miserly spell brought figures on 9-1-21-1.
If Oxfordshire thought that the target would be straightforward, they soon realised that this was not the case. The first 3 wickets fell inside 7 overs, all 3 batsmen being bowled for ducks! At this stage Steve Roberts joined skipper Andy Haynes and they managed to recover the situation. They both scored freely around the wicket and the total moved forward. Haynes was dropped once, on 35, but unperturbed went on to score an excellent 82 off 80 balls with 11 fours. The score was 131 when he was out but then Steve Roberts continued his fine form to win the match with over 11 overs remaining. He made a magnificent 89 not out with 12 fours off just 83 balls.
Oxfordshire secured a comfortable victory against Devon by 8 wickets. Devon won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny day at E + W Hendred where the ground looked immaculate (thanks Ivan). After losing an early wicket, Devon added 50 for the 2 nd wicket in what was to be their only notable stand of the innings. Accurate bowling from all Oxfordshire’s bowlers restricted them to 141 all out (they only had 10 players as one player’s car broke down on the motorway) and the wickets were shared around. Making a welcome first appearance of the season was Steve Roberts who had the best figures of 8.5-4-16-2.
Oxfordshire’s intent with the bat was demonstrated by Darryl Woods who struck a straight 6
off the 4 th ball of the innings. He followed this with 7 fours as he made 37 off just 34 balls.
His opening partner, Andy Haynes also scored freely in compiling a score of 40. It was then
left to Mike Howat (31*) and Charlie Anderson (22*), running well between the wickets, to
see the side to victory after only 22 overs.
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}
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.
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.
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!
Match report – Oxfordshire 50+ XI vs. Staffordshire 50+ XI
Oxfordshire won the toss and elected to bat. Some early tight bowling from the visitors restricted the run scoring during the first half of the innings where scoring generally throughout the innings was difficult on a wicket where the ball was not coming on. A respectable total of 165-7 was posted off the 45 overs with captain Mark Robey top scoring with 42 n/o and Pablo Mukerjee next best with 34.
Staffordshire were aggressive at the start of their reply racking up 63 for no wicket after 12 overs but then debutant Simon Smith took 2 wickets in 2 balls. A further 2 more wickets and some tight bowling restricted the visitors to 85/4 at half way drinks. Staffordshire then staged a recovery adding 60 runs for the 5th wicket and with the score at 144/4 after 34 overs it looked a foregone conclusion for a Staffordshire win. Oxfordshire’s heads never dropped and some excellent bowling saw the visitors then lose 5 wickets for just 15 runs but with 7 balls to spare the hosts pierced the in field with a boundary to seal the win. Notable bowling efforts for Oxfordshire were Mark Robey with 3 for 22 off 8 overs and 2 wickets each for Simon Smith, Sean Miller and Colin Allen.