Wildman's rearguard denies LNZ at Oxford Downs

Under the assured leadership of Leith Cowie, a star-studded LNZCC XI made the journey to face Oxford Downs in what proved to be an entertaining Sunday fixture. LNZCC boasted two debutants in Jack Mockford and Tom Turner, alongside newly Nottman-capped Sam Fanning, fresh from a stint in Western Australia and currently playing for Banbury. A late reshuffle saw Daniel Lawrence drafted in to replace the increasingly unreliable (and creaking) John Shea.

Following negotiations at the toss, LNZCC were invited to bat first. Openers Tom Turner and AK wasted no time, racing out of the blocks with 39 runs off the first two overs. Turner in particular looked in sublime touch, peppering the boundary with a series of elegant, and occasionally agricultural, strokes. The early onslaught continued, and by the 8th over LNZCC had already surged to 83 before AK eventually holed out. Enter Sam Fanning, who ensured there was no respite for the increasingly weary hosts. Turner continued to strike the ball to all parts of the ground and appeared destined for three figures until some ill-advised “century chat” from the boundary (naming no names, Sam Martin) intervened. Predictably, he perished the very next ball for a superb 78 from just 37 balls.

Fanning and Lawrence kept the tempo high. Fanning brought up a classy half-century with a towering cover drive for six over the pavilion, before retiring to generous applause. Lawrence followed suit with a brisk 50 of his own, only to depart shortly after reaching the milestone. By the 21^st over, LNZCC were already sitting pretty on 225. There was no let-up. Reza Maroof and debutant Mockford added further impetus, pushing the total to an imposing 283 before Cowie, with impeccable timing (cough!), called a halt to proceedings after just 27 overs.

With an hour before tea, LNZCC set about forcing a result. Shekhar and Vinay opened the bowling with a great spell, keeping things tight and building pressure. The breakthrough duly arrived in the 9^th over, Shekhar clean bowling the left-handed opener. After tea, Vinay, Mitch Edwards and Sam Martin continued to probe away with discipline, though rewards proved elusive. Eventually, Martin broke the resistance in the 19th over, dismissing the other opener for a stubborn 27, and quickly added a second to leave Oxford Downs wobbling at 55 for 3.

Despite sustained pressure from Martin, Edwards and Mockford, wickets were slow to come. Cowie introduced himself with some straight spin, creating a double-spin axis alongside Mockford, who was rewarded for his efforts with a well-deserved brace. Turner also chipped in, ensuring most of the visiting side contributed with the ball. With 20 overs remaining, Oxford Downs found themselves at 103 for 4. LNZCC struck again to expose the tail, but just as victory began to feel within reach, Oxford Downs captain Alex Wildman had other ideas.

Producing a masterclass in controlled resistance, Wildman expertly mixed solid defence with punishing strokeplay, farming the strike and frustrating the bowlers in equal measure. Despite further wickets falling to Vinay and Martin, Oxford Downs held on for a hard-earned draw, with Wildman finishing unbeaten on an excellent 63 as the hosts closed on 222.

In the end, LNZCC bowled 56 overs compared to Oxford Downs’ 27 earlier in the day - a statistic that perhaps tells its own story.

All in all, it was a perfect Sunday game: runs, wickets, near-misses, debut performances and a contest played throughout in excellent spirit.

Photos

Sam Fanning gets his Nottman Cap