ECB 50+ County Championship

National champions Oxfordshire are off the mark in their bid to retain the title after a seven-wicket victory over Worcestershire at Sandford St Martin on Wednesday.

Oxon, who lost to Wales in their only other outing this season, produced an excellent all-round performance to end Worcester’s unbeaten run.

The visitors chose to bat on winining the toss and raced to 72-3 from 12 overs before the spinners slowed their progress.

Rob Willis took 2-23 from his nine overs, while seamer Andrew Wingfield Digby chipped in with 2-17.

In reply, Oxon suffered an early setback when big-hitting Ian Caunce went for a duck in the first over.

But then Paul Tew and Alec Cunningham put on 153 to take them to the brink of victory, which was achieved with more than ten overs left.