University season well under way

Posted by Tony Hutton

One area of cricket which does not get much publicity is the games between the major cricketing universities. Following their early season games against first class counties the two inter varsity competitions are now well under way with some interesting games having taken place this week. Next week sees four days of cricket at Weetwood in Leeds where the all conquering Leeds/Bradford side start their home programme.

Cricket at Weetwood

The 'Yellows' as they appear to be known have been on tour this week and after winning both their games in the one day competition came unstuck somewhat in their first two day game at Oxford. On Monday they were at Bristol and scored a very healthy total of 343-6 with one of their new recruits Martin Andersson from Middlesex scoring a century. All the other batsmen got runs including Billy Root with 62, following his maiden first class century at Sussex.

In reply Bristol also batted well but despite a century from Warren a total of 263-7 was not enough. Moin Ashraf was among the wickets with 4-27. The following day they were at the Parks in Oxford and Billy Root weighed in with yet another century, 120 to be precise, in a total of 296-7. Again too much for the opposition as Oxford were all out for 154. Moin Ashraf took three wickets this time and spinner McKendry four.
So two wins in two days, but things were about to change.

The two day match against Oxford saw the home side pile up a total of 404 with not only a century for Dickinson, but an eighth wicket partnership 0f 77 and a tenth wicket stand of 58. In reply Leeds/Bradford despite an opening stand of 200 between Root and Weston could only muster a total of 319 all out so lost on first innings points. Weston became yet another centurion and this time Root made only (?) 85.

Leeds/ Bradford now take on Cardiff at Weetwood on Monday (12.30) in a one day match and then a two day game against the same opposition on Tuesday and Wednesday (both 11 a.m.). Finally they take on Southampton Solent in another one dayer at 12.30 on Friday (although be prepared for a possible change of start time to accommodate travel arrangements.)

Elsewhere Southampton Solent played out a 50 over tied game with Cambridge at Salisbury.
Solent were all out for 206 and Southampton ended their overs on 206-9. Even more startling was the Loughborough total of 599-7 dec against Durham. Of the top eight batsmen two made centuries, five made fifties and only Basil Akram, who had scored heavily in early season, failed to make it with 36. This is by far the highest total ever in a two day University game.

Durham were then bowled out for 166 with open batsman Eben Kertz, who comes from Loughborough Grammar School, out for a duck. Following on Durham then made 193 for no wicket, with Kertz 124 not out. Funny old game!