Lewis hits double century but Berkshire's title hopes fade after Oxfordshire stalemate

Berkshire captain Dan Lincoln. Photo: Roger Byrne

--

Rhys Lewis and Johnny Connell set a new Berkshire Cricket Club record in the drawn NCCA Championship match with Oxfordshire at Thame Town this week.

In the first innings, they shared an opening stand of 256, beating the previous highest of 226 set by Martin Lickley and Gary Loveday, which also came against Oxfordshire at Cowley in 1991.

Lewis remained unbeaten on 203, which came off 264 balls and included two sixes and 23 fours, his innings lasting for just under six hours.

Henley opener Connell made 122 from 177 balls, with a maximum and 16 boundaries, before being trapped lbw by George Tait in the 56th over.

With Finchampstead's Ben Salter hammering a 49-ball 74, Berkshire declared on 476-7 with one ball of their 90-over innings remaining.

This gave them a healthy lead of 148 after the hosts had made 328-9, which saw Sussex Academy player Julian Laird top-score with 85 and Finchampstead spinner Samm Daniel take four wickets for 114.

Oxfordshire, who were 100-2 overnight, batted patiently throughout Tuesday, finishing on 354-6 from 118 overs.

Hayden Rossouw scored an excellent 103 off 116 balls, while Arjun Ramkumar contributed 70 and opener Laird 45.

It all added up to an extremely frustrating NCCA Championship campaign for last season's Western Division champions, with all four games ending in a draw, and not even being given the opportunity of a second innings by both Cornwall and Oxfordshire.

Berkshire finish with 44 points, one point behind Devon, who still have to play Oxfordshire at Sidmouth on August 31 in what could be a title decider.

Apart from Devon beating Cornwall, all games in Division One this season have been drawn.

Summary: Oxfordshire 328-9 (Julian Laird 85, Luke Hayes 61, George Tait 46, Samm Daniel 4-114) & 354-6 (Hayden Rossouw 103, Arjun Ramkumar, Julian Laird 45), Berkshire 476-7 dec (Rhys Lewis 203, Jonny Connell 122, Ben Salter 74).