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  • "My point is that it is a friendly and a chance to pick some future talent mixed in with current players. Unlike professional sport not all of the best players are at the best sides as the Taylor boys have proved by getting picked by Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire from their “Village” side, Jonny Cater had a great debut season in Minor Counties last year while playing in the Cherwell League. Is it not possible good cricketers can play at a slightly lower level? I’m not suggesting we pick players from OCA div 10 as your reaction would imply!!"
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CRICKET: Haupt hits ton as Oxfordshire win warm-up

10:00am Monday 16th April 2012 in Cricket Photograph of the Author By Mike Knox , Deputy Sports Editor. Call me on 01865 425457

Craig Haupt places one through the covers during his fine 100 for Oxfordshire in their warm-up victory over Buckinghamshire at Aston Rowant yesterday Craig Haupt places one through the covers during his fine 100 for Oxfordshire in their warm-up victory over Buckinghamshire at Aston Rowant yesterday

CRAIG Haupt scored an unbeaten century as Oxfordshire beat Buckinghamshire by six wickets in a one-day friendly at a bitterly cold Aston Rowant yesterday.

The big Banbury left-hander made 100 before retiring hurt with an elbow injury as Oxon successfully chased down the Bucks total of 204 with more than 12 overs to spare.

The home county were on top after winning the toss and immediately reducing Bucks to 13-3, a position from which they never truly recovered.

Tom Geeson-Brown found a purler to trap former England one-day star Mal Loye lbw third ball. A run out compounded Bucks’ problems and when two more wickets left the visitors at 73-5, an early finished looked likely.

Joel Pope, with a fluent 66 of 69 balls, and skipper Jason Harrison added 59 before the latter fell victim to a front-foot lbw decision – a trend that is likely to increase following the Hawkeye technology.

Tom Helm’s 39 guided Bucks to 204 all out, with 2.5 of their 50-over allocation left unbowled.

Nathan Hawkes picked up three wickets with his seamers while left-arm spinner Luke Ryan proved the most economical.

With a flat pitch and a fast outfield, this total was 80 runs short of par, but Oxon made a poor start, losing Richard Kaufman and Alex Jewell cheaply.

Haupt, who survived a steepling chance when on seven, and Hawkes then produced the match-winning third-wicket stand of 163 at a run-a-ball.

Hawkes, who struck 17 off an over from Vikram Banerjee’s left-arm spin, departed for 71 made off 63 balls with ten fours and a six.

Haupt reached his century off 113 balls, with 13 fours and a six to take Oxon to the brink of a comfortable win.

This was an encouraging display for Oxon, before they open their Minor Counties Trophy match against Cornwall at St Austell next Sunday, when Rob Williams, Daniel Rowe and Chad Keegan will be available for selection.

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