CRICKET: Oxon duo slam record stand (From thisisoxfordshire)

CRICKET: Oxon duo slam record stand

11:41pm Sunday 26th July 2009

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David Smith and Paul McMahon set a record for Oxfordshire’s ninth-wicket stand on the opening day of their Minor Counties Championship Western Division clash against leaders Cornwall at Challow & Childrey.

Smith, who hit his first Minor Counties Championship century with an unbeaten 129, and McMahon, who was left agonisingly short of his first ton at this level with 99 not out, shared an undefeated partnership of 189.

It took Oxon to 351-8 as their innings closed at the end of their 90 overs, Cornwall replying with 39-2 before bad light brought ended play half-an- hour early.

But more importantly it beat the previous Oxon record for the ninth wicket of 117 set by John Carter (93) and Gilbert Betts (56no) against Devon at Banbury in 1954.

And it only just falls short of breaking an even older record for the Minor Counties Championship of 201, which was set by Berkshire’s FE Chapman and EK Millett against Oxon at Reading in 1897.

After Oxfordshire lost the toss and were put in there was no hint at the heroics to follow as they lost three of their top four batsmen to ducks.

Damian Shirazi was trapped lbw by the third ball of the innings by Alex Smeeth.

Fellow opener Chris Sandbach went the same way to Rob Harrison, before Craig Haupt was bowled by Smeeth for 12.

When Rob Williams became Oxon’s third batsman to perish without scoring, the hosts were in disarray at 24-4.

Shahbaz Ali and Richard Kaufman shared a half-cent-ury stand, before the former was caught behind by Gavin Edwards off Chris Hunkin.

Kaufman quickly followed, caught by Dan Davis at cover off Hunkin.

Oxford all-rounder Smith, playing in only his second Minor Counties game, and Ian Hawtin took the score to 127, before the Oxon captain was caught behind off Smeeth.

Daniel Rowe was bowled by Tom Sharp before Wollaton off-spinner McMahon joined Smith with the score 162-8.

They then proceeded to plunder the Cornwall attack with Smith’s runs coming off 206 balls and his innings including 13 fours and two sixes.

McMahon, whose previous highest score for Oxon was 11, faced 117 balls and smashed six fours and five sixes only to finish the innings at the non-striker’s end.

Not to be outdone, Oxon’s other record-breaker this season, Keith Arnold, then won lbw verdicts against Cornwall openers Matt Robins and Antony Angove.

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