Richard Kaufman passed 3,000 Championship runs for Oxfordshire on day one of their Western Division clash with Berkshire at Great & Little Tew.

But it was the visitors who ended the day in better shape, having dismissed Oxon for 227 before closing on 126-2.

Kaufman top-scored with 76, but Oxfordshire failed to make the most of choosing to bat first.

They got off to a poor start when Lloyd Sabin edged to slip for a first-ball duck on the seventh delivery of the match.

This was the first of five wickets for Berkshire’s Matt Carter, who enjoyed an impressive day.

Hugo Darby and Shabaz Alam also went cheaply, so it was left to the middle order to get Oxon back on track.

Kaufman was well supported by Jonny Cater (32), while Chris Watling was last man out for 45.

Once Chad Keegan fell for a brisk 28, Oxon slipped from 197-5 to 227 all out, having failed to bat out for 70 of their 90 overs.

Liam Manley grabbed an early breakthrough to remove Simon Macey, but Berkshire, who like Oxon have yet to win in the Championship this season, progressed steadily at three runs an over.

Karl Penhale gave the hosts a sniff when he had David Barnes caught by Darby, but a 74-run stand between Harry Stephens and captain James Morris left Berkshire well placed at stumps.

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