Oxfordshire Under 19s posted a thrilling one-wicket victory off the last ball against an ACT Select XI in Canberra yesterday.
Another switch of ground was required due to the wet weather in the Australian capital, and with long grass in the outfield, a low-scoring game was always likely.
Winning the toss, ACT opted to bat first, and were dismissed for 152, with skipper Ed Gross taking 3-27 from his ten overs.
Richard Cook, Harry Smith and Richard Simpson chipped in with two wickets apiece.
The score seemed attainable, but Oxon got off to a poor start as openers Smith and Lloyd Sabin fell with only 19 on the board.
But once again, George Rendall, the pick of the batsmen on this tour, steadied the ship.
He top-scored with 36, sharing useful partnerships with Nigel Hume and Sam Ryan.
Wickets fell steadily, but Oxon were always up with the required rate.
When Rendall was run out with 101 on the board, Oxon were still 52 shy of the target.
It was left to Cook (20no) to bat sensibly in the lower middle order as Oxon’s last pair sneaked home off the final ball.
Scores: ACT Select XI 152 (43.2 ovs, S Darcy 31, L Behrendroff 30, E Gross 3-27), Oxfordshire Under 19 153-9 (50 ovs, G Rendall 36, L Ryan 3-8).
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