ECB 50+ County Championship

Oxfordshire got their Group 4 campaign up and running with a 70-run victory over Wales at Merthyr Tydfil.

Alec Cunningham top-scored with 59 in Oxon’s 236-6 then claimed 3-39 as Wales were dismissed for 166.

Tony Munsey made 55 on his championship debut, while another first-timer, Mickey Thomas, took a miserly 2-16 in his nine overs.

The hosts had a late flurry, with Phil Densham and Steve Kelly (3-29) bearing the brunt.

Wales won Oxon’s group last year, so the victory is a good omen for the 2008 champions.