OXFORDSHIRE v HAMPSHIRE

Those who follow Hampshire Seniors will be aware that close finishes have become a far too common a feature in recent fixtures. The game versus Oxford in the medieval setting of Great Tew proved no exception – drama, controversy & pure pantomime akin to the Keystone Cops produced a result that the rule book had not envisaged & only after reference to Lord’s was it decided the match be deemed a tie to be replayed next Sunday. 

Proceedings started normally with Hampshire inviting Oxford to bat. Barry Goodman struck early removing the dangerous Cauncey (1) with his first ball. Bowling conditions were difficult in the strong wind but all the Seniors bowlers performed well. Of the Oxford top order Tew (35), Garner (35) & Cunningham (49) all made starts but were unable to produce a major innings. The expected acceleration did not materialise and the Seniors were more than content to restrict their hosts to 225-7 after 45 overs.

With Tony Oxley injured in the field, Chris Wood opened with Ian Britton. It was obvious the weather might play a part & therefore important that the Seniors kept up with the run rate. Britton (8) went early & was soon followed by Peter Tapper (4) & Terry Morton (8) – after 11 overs, with the score at 40-3 the Seniors were in a spot of bother with the weather closing in. Skipper Alan Wright joined Wood & they quickly raised the tempo hitting the ball to all parts. All was going well until Wright tweaked a groin & Britton came on as his runner & promptly ran him out!! 

By this time rain was falling steadily & the umpires were deliberating whether or not the game should continue. Steve Mitchell, one of the heroes of the Wiltshire run chase strode to the wicket – all to no avail as he was soon well caught in the deep. With a target score of 101 off a minimum 20 overs Hampshire required 9 runs from 2 overs. Oxley came to the wicket with a runner only for the Oxford captain, the Rev Wingfield-Digby to register a protest that he was carrying a pre match injury & therefore not entitled to a runner – an action hardly within “the spirit of cricket” & by a reverend gentleman on a Sunday for which he truly repented post match.

Guy Clifford (who had an excellent game as keeper with 2 catches & 2 stumpings) therefore came out to join Wood. A mere 2 runs were needed from 4 balls with the rain falling ever harder. Wood fell flat on his back attempting a suicidal single & was run out – panic had set in. Goodman struck a single then he too was run out on the penultimate ball – chaos. Rudyard Kipling and his famous poem “If” sprang to mind – “ if you can keep your head when all around are losing theirs……..”. Andy Yorke faced the last ball without scoring leaving the adjusted scores level.Can we face a repeat next week – not a game for the faint hearted?

Dick Batchelor - Scorer

scoreboard