Shirazi heroics not enough

Wiltshire’s upturn in form continued in their latest Minor Counties Championship match against Oxfordshire at Challow and Childrey Cricket Club, though the match petered out into a draw.

Oxfordshire won the toss and chose to bat, totalling 262 in their first innings.

After a solid start by the visitors, Ross Crick was introduced to the attack and took the wicket of James Hewitt with his first ever ball in Minor Counties cricket.

Crick finished with 3-32 off 13 overs, while James Hibberd took 3-51, Damian Shirazi 2-22 and Rob Travers 2-111 in a fine bowling effort.

But Wiltshire lost all-rounder James Hayward broke his thumb fielding before lunch and was unable to take any further part in the match. The all-rounder is likely to be out for up to six weeks.

In reply, the hosts lost Tom Morton for 10 but this was followed by an exhilarating century stand between Damian Shirazi (38), out in the last over of the day, and James Vince, who dominated the partnership, and reached 74 not out by stumps.

Vince played strokes all round the ground with his fifty coming off only 27 balls and including 10 fours.

Wiltshire began the second day128 for 2 and their batsmen continued to dominate.

Vince was finally out for 87 but Richard Bedbrook (103) scored his maiden Minor Counties century and with James Hibberd (78 not out), Wiltshire’s innings closed after 90 overs at 374 for 7 and with maximum batting points.

Oxfordshire’s deficit was 112, and they lost early wickets to Dudley Graham (3-92) and Crick (1-32).

If Nathan Hawkes had been caught before he reached double figures they would have lost four wickets before clearing the deficit.

After his escape the former Bedfordshire batsman scored 92, the junior in a partnership with Rob Williams, who made a massive 169 not out.

With Hayward unable to bowl, off-spinner Rob Travers put in a marathon spell, bowling 40 overs to take 1 for 143 as Wiltshire droppeda series of catches.

After lunch on the third day, Oxfordshire declared at 398 for 5, leaving Wiltshire a minimum of 50 overs to score 287 to win.

Shirazi scored a brilliant 106 in a valiant attempt, but his only real support coming from Hibberd (42 not out) and the match petered out into a draw, Wiltshire closing on 218 for 5.