Oxford aim to break Loughborough stranglehold on university cricket

Oxford University Centre of Cricketing Excellence (UCCE) take on Loughborough UCCE in the MCC Spirit of Cricket UCCE One-Day Challenge at Trent Bridge on Monday 30 June, aiming to become the first side to claim a title from Loughborough in UCCE competition history.

For the third consecutive year, Loughborough again won the MCC Spirit of Cricket Inter-UCCE Championship - two-day matches played amongst the six UCCEs. The winner and the runner-up in the championship then play a one-off One-Day Challenge, a match which Loughborough have also won the past two seasons meaning that Loughborough are the only side to have won a UCCE trophy to date.

Graham Charlesworth, coach of the Oxford UCCE team, said, "We've got a very good side this year and this must be our best chance to break Loughborough's dominance of UCCE cricket. We have got strength in all areas - seam bowling, spin bowling and batting - so we are very confident."

The Oxford 13-man squad includes six county contracted players - Joe Sayers (Yorkshire), Tom Mees (Warwickshire), Jamie Dalrymple (Middlesex), Michael Munday (Somerset), Paul McMahon (Nottinghamshire) and Huw Jones (Warwickshire).

The Loughborough team will include seven contracted players - Jimmy Adams (Hampshire), Rob White (Northamptonshire), John Francis (Somerset), Vikram Atri (Nottinghamshire), Chris Nash (Sussex), Zoheb Sharif (Essex) and David Wigley (Worcestershire).

Graham Dilley, Loughborough UCCE coach, said, "It's pleasing for Loughborough to have won the championship for a third time in succession, but probably more pleasing for the process is that its getting harder each year. Oxford are a good side this year and very well balanced. While our batting remains strong, we've got some less experienced bowlers. It's going to be much tougher this time to walk away with all the silverware and this one-day challenge will be just that - a good challenge."

The MCC Spirit of Cricket One-Day Challenge is a 50 over match played to Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy regulations. The game starts at 10.45am and entrance is free. Roy Palmer and Richard Kettleborough will officiate.