OXFORDSHIRE 171 lead DORSET 80-7 by 91 runs

DORSET are facing a damage limitation exercise as they trail Oxfordshire by 91 runs on day one of their Unicorns Championship clash at Banbury.

With 17 wickets falling in three sessions, Oxon mounted a stirring fightback having been dismissed for 171 as former Hampshire, Somerset and Worcestershire all-rounder Gareth Andrew took 5-22 to tear through Dorset’s top order.

Tom Price (1-12) and Alex Chapman (1-9) dismissed Ed Ellis (7) and Josh McCoy (2) respectively as Dorset closed on 80-7 having been 55-7, largely thanks to a diligent unbeaten 20 from Alex Eckland.

Earlier on, Dorset took all 10 Oxon wickets for 136 runs following a 35-run stand from openers Harry Smith (28) and Richard Kaufman (19).

However, two wickets in quick succession for paceman James Hayman (4-42) set Dorset on their way with McCoy (1-44) snaring Smith to reduce Oxon to 56-3.

Price (38) and Callum Russell (33) mounted a recovery until the latter became Hayman’s third victim, and Scott Currie (2-21) removed Owyn Tong-Jones (2) as Dorset checked the hosts at 120-5.

Yet it was the key wicket of home skipper Andrew (18) that produced a collapse of four wickets for six runs as Oxfordshire were eventually bowled out for 171.

In reply, Andrew then dismissed Tom Arnold (1), Luke Webb, Currie (both 0), Josh Digby (2) and Somerset academy prospect Ben Wells (28) to leave Dorset looking vulnerable overnight.