Oxford 2000 gets off to a fine start

Oxford 2000, the International Millennium Festival for Wandering Clubs, got off to a fine start with 14 matches played by clubs from three continents.

Among the visitors to the historic city were Stanley from South Africa, De Flamingo's from Holland and the Gentlemen from Philadelphia.

The South Africans upheld overseas honour by beating the Stragglers Of Asia by 11 runs in an exciting match. D.Marx led the way for the Africans with 77.

The Americans found the Frogs too much for them, going down by 61 runs, while the Dutch had a similar experience versus the Hampshire Hogs, whose ex-Hampshire left-hander, Rupert Cox, hit an unbeaten century followed by Hogs' veteran Chris Bazalgette, taking four wickets, including his 1000th for his club.

Wins were also recorded by I Zingari by 4 wickets over South Wales Hunts, for whom F.Roberts hit 70 in 82 balls, and the Cryptics, who were too strong for the Butterflies, with Mark Williams hitting the highest score of the day, 142 not out, while N.Richards' 4-28 helped dismiss the Butterflies for 108.

Fine bowling by N.Bartram with 6-52 and then a great opening partnership of 158 by D.O'Kelly and J.Rigby were instrumental in the Yorkshire Gents victory over the Invalids, while a 59-ball unbeaten ton by E.Gardiner-Hall (who was "bowled" first ball but judged by the umpire not ready to receive it) destroyed the Grasshoppers.

Two centuries graced the Romany/Wiltshire Queries drawn game: first by J.Chaudry for Romany and then by Indian Ranji One-day Trophy player, Nishanti Bordeloi for the Queries.

Two bowlers took five wickets, P.Craig for Romany and J.Lewis for the Flycatchers, but they laboured in vain in drawn matches! The day's best bowling figures came from A.Marsh with 6-50 as the Gents of Cheshire failed to get near the Gloucester Gypsies' 264-6, the highest total of the day.

The day's most exciting match was played between Band of Brothers and Free Foresters, as the Foresters, needing five to win from the last over, with one wicket in hand, could only manage four, an even draw.