Northants Khan not believe it
Rob Devey
OXFORD'S CRICKETERS CAME up with the perfect response to critics who had doubted their ability to compete with county opposition, by earning a dramatic three-wicket victory over Northants at the Parks last week. Following the Blues' recent innings defeat by Glamorgan, sections of the media had questioned the credibility of university-county matches, citing an increasing gulf in class as undermining the usefulness of these traditional encounters. But captain Tom Hicks insistedthis had not affected the team's performance: "We didn't have to prove anything to the press," he said.
"The important thing was that we proved to ourselves that we are capable of beating county sides."
And at first, it seemed such a judgement would again be vindicated, a fine 108 from Alec Swann the backbone of Northants' first innings score of 275-7 declared. Another hefty loss seemed a near certainty when Oxford capitulated to 87-9, the visitors sharing the wickets around, with only Richard Smalley (18) and Byron Byrne (30) making double figures.
Salman Khan joined Alan Gofton at the crease with the Blues needing another 39 runs just to avoid the follow on. But the pair played the innings of their lives, adding 134 runs, the biggest final wicket stand in first-class cricket this season. Gofton (47no) was denied his first 50, when Khan's display of panache and passion ended after he was bowled by a slower ball from Kevin Innes for 87, Oxford all out for 221.
Still 54 runs behind the visitors, there remained much for the Blues to do, and captain Tom Hicks was instrumental in reducing Northants to 188-8 declared in their second innings, taking five wickets for only 55 runs off 22 overs. The county side would eventually rue their early declaration, but things initially went to plan, Oxford opener Ross Garland (1) out lbw to Mike Strong after just ten minutes at the crease.
But after the loss of Smalley and Claughton had reduced the hosts to 69-3, Porter and Byrne added 74 in 19 overs to sustain hope. The dismissals of Porter, Gofton and Byrne in quick succession seemed to have ended any chance of victory, with the Blues 148-6. And the loss of Scott Weenink, bowled by Innes for 13, meant Oxford needed 61 runs from 15 overs to win. James Redmayne (43) and Khan (39) batted solidly to reach the target however, leaving Hicks delighted at his side's third first-class win over a county in four seasons.
He said: "I think we showed the strength of our batting today with runs lower down the order.
"I was really pleased at the way we fought back after it seemed we were dead and buried - it was a great way to end our first-class season."
8th Jun 2000