Archive - Thursday, 24 July 2003


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Wiltshire CCC defeat Oxfordshire by six wickets

WILTSHIRE County CC beat Oxfordshire at South Wilts CC by six wickets in their third Minor Counties Championship match of 2003, picking up 24 points to five.

They have now won two out of their three matches in this competition.

Winning the toss and chosing to bat, Oxfordshire made slow but steady progress with an opening stand of 109 between Ian Hawtin (73) and Richard Eason (43).

After they were parted, only Charlie Knightley (102) made any impression against the spinners and, at the end of their 100 overs, had reached 314-9.

Richard Illingworth took 1-69 off 29 overs, Jason Searle (3-76 off 25) and Richard Bates (3-89 off 29). In reply, Wilts had to bat for five overs at the end of a hot day and lost both openers, Russell Rowe and Chris Budd, without scoring.

On the second day, Wiltshire lost both night-watchmen, Kevin Nash and Richard Bedbrook early and the score stood at 7-4.

But they took control with a stand of 91 between Baqar Rizvi (89) and Richard Illingworth (23).

When Rizvi was out with the score at 140, Steve Perrin joined Michael Coles and they put on 160 for the seventh wicket.

This is a Wiltshire record for the seventh wicket and he was 117 not out when the County declared at 325-7 off 85 overs for maximum batting points.

Oxfordshire, who had to bat for the 36 overs remaining on the second day, reached 78-3 at close of play.

On the third day, the Wiltshire left-arm spinners Richard Illingworth (29 overs 5-46) and Richard Bates (28 overs 4-38) took control to bowl out the visitors out for 146.

Wiltshire, left to score 136 to win, achieved their target for the loss of four wickets. Baqar Rizvi scored 53, Steve Perrin 26 and Richard Illingworth was 32no.

Wilts visit Camborne to play Cornwall in their next Minor Counties Championship match on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, July 27-29.

They are forced to make two changes to the side which beat Oxfordshire as both Richard Illingworth and Steve Perrin are unavailable.

They are replaced by James Hibberd and Jamie Glasson. Kevin Blackburn who was forced to withdraw from the match against Oxfordshire with a fractured thumb.

Cornwall lead the Western Division with 57 points from four matches. Wiltshire are second with 55 from three games and Berks third with 54 from three

Wiltshire CCC team v Cornwall: Russell Rowe (South Wilts) (capt), Jason Searle (Chippenham) (vice-capt), Richard Bates (Chippenham), Richard Bedbrook (Beckenham), Chris Budd (Thornbury), Michael Coles (Bridgwater), Jamie Glasson (South Wilts), James Hibberd (Calmore Sports), Kevin Nash (Bashley/Rydal), Baqar Rizvi (Barnet), Neil Shardlow (Corsham).