Keith Arnold has finally rewritten Oxfordshire cricket’s record books by becoming the county’s leading wicket-taker in the Minor Counties Championship.

The 49-year-old seamer’s quest to overtake David Laitt’s record of 670 wickets came to an end on Sunday when he had Wiltshire wicket-keeper Steve Bullen caught by Jack Taylor at deep square leg in the Western Division clash at Trowbridge CC.

It was his third wicket of the afternoon and formed part of figures of 4-72 from 22 overs.

“It’s a relief,” Arnie admitted after a long day in the field as Wiltshire racked up 389-9 in their first innings.

“I am obviously very happy, but in some ways quite glad I have got there because it seems to have been going on for ages.

“Being injured last year, I didn’t think I would ever get there.”

Arnold admitted he didn’t think yesterday would be the one he etched his name in Oxfordshire history as Wiltshire piled on the runs.

“It was the flatest wicket we have bowled on for a long time – there was nothing in it,” he said.

“You just had to bowl straight and it was just hard work. I didn’t think it was going to happen today.”

Arnold dismissed opener Ben Walker in his first spell, but was then powerless as Wesley Durston and Greg Lamb shared a stand of 199 for the third wicket.

It was only in his third spell in the final ten overs of the innings that he added to his tally as Wiltshire went for quick runs.

He equalled Laitt’s total when Daniel Rowe caught John Chandler at deep mid-wicket, before Taylor had the distinction of claiming the catch which brought Arnold the record.

For good measure, he picked up a fourth wicket with the last ball of the innings when Shahbaz Ali caught Richard Crick at deep mid-on.

“A generous captain (Ian Hawtin) told me at the end that I picked up a few cheap wickets,” joked Arnold.

“I am pleased and delighted and good luck to whoever tries to break it.”

Arnold admitted there was a certain amount of confusion over which wicket was the record-breaker.

“I think the last one which Shahbaz Ali caught was the one I think which broke the record,” he said.

“You will need to confirm that with someone. Members of the committee thought I needed three and Hawts thought four.”

County archivist Julian Lawton Smith was happy to clear up the matter – confirming that the Banbury Twenty seamer’s third wicket yesterday was indeed the history-maker.

Arnold believes his mark will stand the test of time.

“I think it will,” he said. “The game has changed. We used to play a lot of two-day games – nine or ten a year and now they are three-day games and not so many.”

And he isn’t looking too far ahead – especially with Oxfordshire in trouble at 59-3 in reply.

“I am going to take it one game at a time,” he added.

“I am sure we will have a few beers, but we are in the middle of a game and we must sure we put up a score.

“Hopefully I will be selected for the semi-final next week and then when we win that game, the final.

“We have gone close a couple of times and it would be nice to play in the final.”