High hopes for Millar's men
LAST SEASON WAS one of contrasting fortunes for cricket in Oxford. The highlight was undoubtedly Oxford's first victory over first class opposition for over two years when Northamptonshire were dispatched in The Parks at the start of June.
However, this was followed by disappointment as, despite playing at home, Oxford were soundly beaten in the semi-finals of the BUSA Championship by an impressive Durham side.
A subsequent, agonising, one run defeat by Cambridge in the one day Varsity match and a three day Varsity match at Lords that was ruined by the weather and petered out into a draw concluded the season. It was an unworthy way for the tradition of three day Varsity matches at Lords to end.
This season, though, signals the start of a new era of university cricket. Oxford and Brookes are now combined as one of the six University Cricket Centres of Excellence newly inaugurated by the ECB.
This means that Oxford will have a packed schedule including matches against the counties, the BUSA Championship, the first UCCE Championship and the one day Varsity match at Lords.
Oxford, led by Christ Church all-rounder Neil Millar, can certainly challenge for the BUSA and UCCE Championships if the pesky Durham are dispatched, as they possess talent throughout the side. The bowlers, though, are probably Oxford's strength. Off spinner and former captain Tom Hicks returns and will be looking to repeat the form that brought him nine wickets in the win over Northamptonshire.
The pace attack will by led by the promising Tom Mees and medium pacer Salman Khan. Mees has flown out of the starting blocks in the early part of the season and Khan is an experienced university player. Along with Hicks, Khan also provided valuable runs down the order, as both have first class fifties to their names.
However there is also talent in the batting ranks. Joe Porter is a promising left hand batsmen who already has four first class fifties to his name and Charlie Warren should be a solid opener. Perhaps the two most exciting talents are Huw Jones and Jamie Dalrymple.
The former is an Oxford native who has spent time with Warwickshire's 2nd XI and is one of the first of the new cricketing scholars at Brookes. The latter is a Kenyan born under 19 international who has netted with the Middlesex 2nd XI and also bowls useful off breaks. Both should prove to be valuable additions to the squad.
Oxford can look forward to their two remaining county games, against Hampshire and Warwickshire, with some optimism following the encounter with Middlesex last week. Although the batsmen struggled, Oxford's bowling was more impressive. Hampshire in particular are weak this season and will provide Oxford with their best opportunity for a victory against county opposition this season.
The comparatively poor performance of the other UCCE's in their opening county fixtures also suggest that Oxford has a real chance of bringing home some silverware this season. If the strong bowling continues and the batters realise their potential this season could be a great opportunity to see some quality cricket in The Parks.
Intercollegiate Cricket Week One Fixtures Cuppers Round One St. Peters vs. Lincoln Corpus vs. Queen's Exeter vs. Oriel Hertford vs. Christchurch Balliol vs. Somerville Division One Worcester vs. Queen's Keble vs. St. Edmund Hall New vs. St. Anne's Wadham vs. Oriel
3rd May 2001