On Saturday (18th September) Oxfordshire Cricket held its 2021 Pathway Awards which was held at the magnificent Wormsley Estate. There was a range of different awards and medals that were presented. If you are an award or medal winner and did not attend the awards ceremony please contact Alex Westbury – [email protected] 

Player of the Year

Boys Under 10 – Oliver Mayer

Girls Under 11 – Niamh Rogan

Boys Under 11 – Joshua David-Ward

Boys Under 12 – Louis Nicholson

Girls Under 13 – Georgia Prestedge

Boys Under 13 – Arthur Hanson

Boys Under 14 – Ethan Barksfield

Girls Under 15 – Sana Kassey

Boys Under 15 – Jacob Townsend

Girls Under 18 – Lottie Oxton

Boys Under 18 – Will Hammersley

Players Player of the Year

Boys Under 10 – Hector Gray

Girls Under 11 – Niamh Rogan

Boys Under 11 – Thomas Bratby

Boys Under 12 – Louis Nicholson

Girls Under 13 – Mim Aldred

Boys Under 13 – Alex Tervet

Boys Under 14 – Jack Veal

Girls Under 15 – Ellie Simpson

Boys Under 15 – Dylan Driscoll

Girls Under 18 – Chloe Westbury

Boys Under 18 – Will Hammersley

Batter of the Year

Boys Under 10 – Jackson Galbraith

Girls Under 11 – Rabiya Dogar

Boys Under 11 – James Lovell

Boys Under 12 – Samuel Hicks

Girls Under 13 – Katie Waugh

Boys Under 13 – Samuel Grocutt

Boys Under 14 – Jack Veal

Girls Under 15 – Aimee Diab

Boys Under 15 – Dylan Driscoll

Girls Under 18 – Abi Norgrove

Boys Under 18 – Will Hammersley

Bowler of the Year

Boys Under 10 – Samarth Goyal

Girls Under 11 – Emily Mayer

Boys Under 11 – Billy Vallings

Boys Under 12 – Shiva Senthikumar Sridevi

Girls Under 13 – Carys Owen

Boys Under 13 – Monty Boyd

Boys Under 14 – Alfie Smethurst

Girls Under 15 – Zara Wyatt

Boys Under 15 – Luke Hayes

Girls Under 18 – Chloe Westbury

Boys Under 18 – Tristan Rossouw

Oxfordshire Cricket are delighted to announce the appointment of Nick Pinhol to the position of Participation Manager. Nick will officially start his new role from the 1st of October, however because we require continuity in his existing roles we expect that it will take three months to achieve a full transition.

The panel unanimously recommended Nick but were full of praise for the other candidates who were a mixture of internal and external applicants. 

The role of Participation Manager, will see Nick have the following responsibilities which will include continuing to lead on Oxfordshire Cricket’s marketing:

• Line Management – Line Manage a team of Cricket Development Officers to deliver the Participation programme. 
• Programme Management – Manage the total Participation programmes including the budget, and actively explore ways to enhance and grow Participation programmes and offering in Oxfordshire. Develop new business opportunities for community cricket, maximising the funding and income streams within Oxfordshire.
• Ongoing Development and Inclusion – Be at the cutting edge of new developments in the field of community sport, and government policy relating to sport and leisure. This includes leading on Oxfordshire Cricket inclusion for cricket within Oxfordshire.
• ECB Point of Contact – On behalf of Oxfordshire Cricket be the point of contact with the ECB.
• Governance – Work with the Board of Oxfordshire Cricket Board Limited (OCB Ltd) to develop and implement the strategic and operational plans and policies. Ensure that the board’s policies and practices are up-to-date and managed in line with current best practice
• Links to Performance – Create an integrated approach with the Performance team
• Management of the total Marketing programmes for Oxfordshire Cricket including the line management of a Marketing and Communications Officer

Chairman, Chris Clements said: ‘’This is one of several new appointments that we are planning to underpin a successful 2022. I am delighted that Nick has accepted the role, he has been a breath of fresh air to the organisation since he joined as an intern and I have every confidence that he will take this job to a new level. I am equally pleased that we have uncovered other internal candidates who have demonstrated their desire to progress, and that offers us further staff development opportunities in the future.’’ 

Nick Pinhol said: “I am delighted to be taking on this role and challenge of Participation Manager. The opportunity to grow the game in Oxfordshire is something that I am passionate about, whilst continuing the development of cricket in our clubs, schools and communities. It is also an opportunity to bridge the gap between participation and performance. This is the start of an exciting period that will see us look to also expand our marketing capabilities across the whole organisation. After what has been a challenging time for everyone, I am excited by what the future holds for all of Oxfordshire Cricket.

The 2021 Cricket Playing Survey is now live and we want you to have Your Say. Win 1 of 5x £100 Amazon vouchers just for taking part!

ECB have released this year’s Cricket Playing Survey, giving everyone the chance to have their say and influence the future of cricket.

In order to help understand the views of everyone connected to the game in Oxfordshire, we encourage you to complete and share the survey amongst all players and members.

Follow this link to get involved – https://ecb.tell-us-what-you-think.com/s3/Cricket-Playing-Survey-2021

Cumnor were crowned 2021 Oxfordshire Under 19 champions with a thrilling three-run win over holders and hosts Horspath on finals day.

Dylan Driscoll hit a superb unbeaten 66 to steer Cumnor to 135-2 after they had been put in to bat in a thrilling T20 decider for the Honey-‘B’ Trophy, named in memory of the late Horspath player Morris Honey.

Driscoll, whose runs came off 51 balls and included eight fours, was well supported by Will Laird (33no) in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 79. Horspath’s bowlers, meanwhile, stuck to their task well to hold Cumnor in check, with Josh Cummings (1-16) and Josh Richardson (1-25) the wicket-takers.

Picture: Rob Judges

Horspath, who had won the much-delayed 2020 competition by one wicket off the last ball against Aston Rowant just two weeks previously, were reduced to 11-3 in reply with opening bowler Abhir Joshi producing a devastating opening burst to claim two wickets after Sam Down had made the breakthrough.

Cumnor Celebrating A Wicket – Photo: Helen Lydford-Davis

Opener Alfie Turner (25) and Saif Dogar (20) led the fightback, but when Luke Heritage was run out going for two at the non-striker’s end by a terrific throw from the cover boundary by Will Price, Horspath had it all to do at 84-7. However, Joe Gibbs and Rayaan Dogar then shared a gritty eighth-wicket stand of 41. When Dogar hit successive deliveries for six over long on by the nets and for four in the 18th over, it looked as if the hosts may again pull victory out the fire as they reached 125-7. But Joshi returned for the penultimate over and bowled Gibbs for 21 with a cracking delivery, before Dogar (18) skied a catch to Alastair Gray at point to make it 126-9.

George Crawford kept Horspath’s hopes alive by edging Joshi’s last ball for four past wicket-keeper Will Laird, and the hosts needed six to win off the final over. Two singles came off Driscoll’s first four balls, but then a run out saw Horspath 132 all out and sparked Cumnor celebrations. Joshi was named man of the match for his outstanding figures of 4-14, while Thomas Lydford-Brace took 2-31.

In the semi-finals earlier in the day, Cumnor swept aside Hook Norton, while Horspath raced to an eight-wicket win against Banbury.

Having bowled Banbury out for 111 after putting them in to bat, Horspath stormed to victory off just 9.3 overs with Alfie Turner smashing 50 off 28 balls with seven fours and two sixes, while his brother, Charlie, cracked 39 from 25 deliveries. They put on 93 for the second wicket as the win was secured in double quick time. Richardson had shone with the ball earlier, taking 3-25, while Saif Dogar picked up 2-14 as Banbury collapsed from 79-2 after handy contributions from Savi Sangha (26) and Joshua Taylor (23).

Oxford claimed a nine-wicket win over Henley in the Wilf Bennett final on Saturday at Wormsley.

Oxford put their opponents into bat and started well with the ball to have them at 39/4 Henley recovered to reach 130 all out, with captain Adam Lubbock top-scoring with 41, as James Bridson took 4/20.

George Tait was dismissed with the third ball of the innings, but that did not affect Oxford. Muhammad Ayub came to the crease to partner Barney Carey and the pair secured victory for Oxford with more than four overs to spare. Ayub smashed 68 off 48, while Barney Carey hit 53 (45).

You can view the full match scorecard by clicking here

Oxford’s captain spoke after the match

Banbury secured a seventh successive Bernard Tollett title on Saturday after beating Aston Rowant by 37 runs at Wormsley.

Banbury was put in to bat and scored an imposing 177/5, Lloyd Sabin leading the way with a captain’s innings with an unbeaten 74 off 46 balls. He struck four fours and six sixes in his innings, while there were valuable knocks from Joe White (33), Alistair Short (23) and Charles Hill (22).

Aston Rowant lost Tom Condon early to leave them 4-1. Leo Bethell helped them rebuild with 21 before he was dismissed, which then saw Revill dismissed straight after. Hayden Rossouw hit 31, and Josh Smith hit 50 (29) to help them reach 140/8, while Joe Thomas took 4/25 for Banbury to secure a 37 run win. 

You can view the full match scorecard by clicking here 

Banbury’s captain spoke after the match

Due to the increased demand, The Oxfordshire Cricket Coaches Association has organised FOUR First Aid Courses that will take place at Horspath CC on the 10th of November and the 9th of March,  and at Oxford Downs on the 12th of January and 3rd of February from 6.30-9.30PM. The course is £35 per person and is limited to 12 individuals.

To book on to a course please click here