Cambridge University v Oxford University – Varsity Match- Day 1 Recap- Cricket News Update
In a mouth watering fixture between the top universities of England, Cambridge University and Oxford University, Cambridge finished the first day of a four day test match, on 252 for 8 in their first innings, at Fenner’s Ground, Cambridge, dated July 5,
2011.
The day belonged to the Oxford bowler and Captain, Rajiv Sharma who took three wickets for his side making the Cambridge side pay for some lack luster batting performance.
At the close of play, it was Cambridge duo of Matt Hickey and Patrick Sadler who occupied the crease, making 52 and 12 respectively.
It was an occasion to savor as the top two universities, rather that battling for honors related to academics, squared on a cricket field hoping to come out on top.
The day started with Cambridge captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Richard-Thomas-Timms-c85343 winning the toss and electing to bat first.
As the Cambridge openers came out on the field, their approach was of cautious rather than attack. The approach however, backfired as skipper Timms fell early to his counterpart Sharma, edging a good delivery to wicket –keeper Sam Westaway. He could only
make 4.
When the score reached 30, Sharma struck again, removing Philip Hughes for 16. AS both the openers back to pavilion, it was up to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashok-c46345 and Paul Best to rebuild the innings.
Both batters played sensibly and looked well in a 50- run stand before Oxford bowler, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Daniel-Charles-Pascoe-c52244 provided his side with a crucial breakthrough. He first removed Ashok, trapping him right in front of the wicket who had made 39, which included six boundaries.
After that, wickets fell in quick succession with Francis Brown and Tom Deasy both falling to Sam Agarwal. When Pascoe removed the dangerous Best for 48, Cambridge found themselves reeling at 133 for 6.
With bowlers on top, it looked as if the match was slipping away from the Cambridge side. However, Cambridge side was rescued by their late order as all chipped in with crucial runs.
There were notable contributions from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Angus-Robert-Charles-Fraser-c44701 Kennedy (20), Philip Ashton (36) and the top scorer of the day ,Matt Hickey who made an unbeaten half century to guide their team out of difficulty.
No one could take a threshold in the match as wickets continue to go down with Sharma grabbing another one before the close of play.
As the first day came to a finish, Hickey had moved on to 52 accompanied by Sadler who was unbeaten at 12.
The day belonged to Oxford’s bolwer with their skipper leading from the front. Other bolwers supported their captain ably, with Pascoe and Agarwal grabbing two wickets each.
So a good recovery from the Cambridge side, courtesy of some handy contributions from their lower order, who otherwise could’ve find themselves in a much precarious situation.
They will be hoping to reach 300 in their first innings which will be psychologically advantage for their bowlers.
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