GARETH Andrew proved the star of the show once again as Oxfordshire took control of their Western Division clash against Dorset at Banbury.

The seamer finished with first-innings figures of 8-40 and then scored 72 to help the hosts to a 273-run lead heading into the final day of the Unicorns Counties Championship fixture.

Andrew’s eighth-wicket stand of 97 with Joe Thomas (31) proved key as Oxon had been left reeling on 113-7.

The bowlers had dominated on Sunday, with Andrew taking 5-22 to restrict Dorset to 79-7 after Oxon had been dismissed for 171.

He continued in the same vein today to claim three more wickets – the first coming in the second over of the day when he clean bowled Chris Park.

Andrew completed his haul when trapping tenth man Jigar Naik lbw after the visiting batsman had put on a 33-run last wicket stand with James Hayman to take them into triple figures.

It meant Oxon started their second innings with a lead of 52.

They began well, but when Harry Smith (35) was dismissed they fell from 53-2 to 113-7.

With Oxon struggling, Andrew, whose 72 came off 162 deliveries and included seven fours, then spearheaded a superb eighth-wicket partnership with Thomas to help the side post 226 all out.

Dorset only opted for the new ball in the 90th over, resulting in the dismissals of Andrew and Brad Taylor to end the hosts second innings.

The visitors, set 279 for victory, would have wanted to reach the end of play without losing early wickets.

But Tom Arnold edged to Richard Kaufman in the slips off the bowling of Andrew, and Tom Price dismissed Ben Wells to leave them reeling on 5-2.