OXFORDSHIRE 326-9 lead DORSET 51-4 by 275 runs

DORSET lost three wickets in the dying embers of day one against Oxfordshire in their NCCA Championship Western Division One clash at Banbury.

Luke Webb’s men are consequently on the back foot, trailing by 275 runs after a patient batting display by the hosts.

Amid the current heatwave, the toss was crucial and Oxfordshire won it, duly making hay with the bat.

Openers Jamie Harrison (41) and Harrison Smith (55) both proved difficult to remove, setting up the innings for Oxfordshire’s middle order.

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Jonathan Cater top-scored with 71 while George Tait smacked 46 from 49 balls to help the hosts to their total.

For Dorset, seamer David Scott bowled an admirable 38 overs for an excellent return of 5-115 despite the hot conditions.

And the visitors found the going difficult with the bat as opener Will Tripcony (9) fell early to Luke Charlesworth (1-17).

However, the dramatic 15th over had a bit of everything as Webb (15) went caught to the first ball sent down by George Tait (2-12).

Sam Young came in and smacked 12 runs off four balls, including a four and a maximum, before Tait rustled his timbers on his final ball to leave Dorset on 50-3.

There was a further prize for Oxfordshire when Connor Smith (0) was stumped by Cater off Oliver Clarke (1-8) to leave the visitors 51-4 at stumps with a mountain to climb on day two.