OXFORDSHIRE were involved in an exciting tie against Bucks in a friendly warm-up match at Aston Rowant yesterday, writes MICHAEL KNOX.

Ian Hawtin's team seemed certain to lose with required 22 off the last two overs with three wickets left.

But some well-placed shots and quick running by Francois Vainker, whose unbeaten 27 came off 24 balls, enabled them to score 11 off each over, including two off the final ball, to match Bucks’ 50-over total of 243-7.

The contest, in which both sides used a total of 13 players, was always evenly matched.

Bucks seemeed set for a formidable score when they reached 170-2 in the 34th over, following half-centuries from Oxford captain Jason Harrison and former Gloucestershire all-rounder Mark Hardinges, whose 59 came off only 65 balls.

However, tidy spells from Richard Kaufman and Jimmy Phillips, who captured three wickets, restricted Bucks to 73 from the last 16 overs.

Despite losing Kaufman for a duck, Oxon began briskly thanks to Chris Sandbach and Damian Shirazi.

The major innings came from Northants' contracted player Nathan Hawkes, who steered Oxon through choppy waters as they lost three quick wickets.

When he was adjudged lbw for 58 off 73 balls, things looked bleak, but Vainker and a generous helping of 33 extras, saw them share the honours.

This was a useful preparation ahead of Oxon's first match in the Minor Counties Trophy against Bedfordshire at Ampthill next Sunday.