Oberoi inspires Academy to victory
Oxford UCCE..................250-8
Exeter........................191 all out
Oxford won by 59 runs
The Oxford UCCE Academy team got off to a flying start in their BUSA campaign by seeing off an inconsistent Exeter University side at The Parks on Monday. The UCCE • an academy team comprising of some of the best cricketers from both Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities • comfortably saw off their first test of the season by beating Exeter by 59 runs. Only a week earlier, the UCCE came up against Middlesex CCC in a three-day friendly fixture.
But today they faced weaker opposition yet a more important mission to accomplish. Oxford made 250 runs in their 50-over innings and the target they set seemed unassailable. Indeed, Exeter were floundering at one stage in their innings at 35-5, but restored some parity to finish all out on 191. Oxford’s opening pair, Salil Oberoi and Mali Richards, put together a magnificent 125-run partnership, with the former making a handsome 86 off just 96 balls.
Peter Young finished on 33 not out, batting well in the bottom-order to put the finishing touches on his side’s significant total of 250. At 35-5, Exeter looked dead and buried. Being well behind in terms of run rate and nominal score, it looked as if Oxford would be back in the pavilion before 3pm. However, a terrific comeback from the visitors ensured that Oxford were out in the field for longer than expected.
Exeter’s resurgence arrived in the mould of Alex Colson who registered a decent 57, contributing to a magnificent 95 runs put on for the sixth wicket. Despite this turn-around, Exeter’s early faltering ensured that there was to be no upset. The visitors still lagged with their run rate, and with Ed Morse and Oberoi both claiming three wickets for 17 runs and Will Mottram two for 34, there was no way back. It was a solid performance from the Academy.
They set an admirable target, but ought to have dispensed with Exeter’s middle order a little earlier.
4th May 2006