Will Rooney proved the star, but Oxford’s season shows no sign of improving after they were on the wrong end of a draw at home to Burnham in Division 1 on Saturday.

The paceman took 5-68, but was unable to stop the visitors amassing 302-8 off 61 overs.

And Rooney was then forced to block out the final seven overs with Alex Morgan to secure a draw for basement side Oxford, who closed on 181-9.

Things had started well for the hosts, with Rooney dismissing Fahad Raja with the score on just five.

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But that brought Harveer Gandam to the crease, and he then proceeded to be the mainstay of Burnham’s innings with a superb 108.

With No 7 Raja Rehman weighing in with 48, and Adnan Malik, batting at eight, unbeaten on 46, Oxford faced a big total.

Rooney was easily the pick of the bowlers with his haul.

Oxford made a decent start to their reply, but although their top four all got going, none were able to produce the big innings required.

Andrew Clough (37), Ryan Carters (31), Vishane Perera (22) and Stewart Laudat (20) made starts, but when Carters fell on 140, a mini collapse ended any victory hopes.

Two more wickets fell with the addition of just one run and when Harvey Eltham was the ninth wicket to fall on 181, it was left to Morgan and Rooney to secure a draw.