In a remarkable game of cricket Oxfordshire and Cumbria scored over 500 runs between them at Banbury – and couldn’t be separated.
The NCCA Trophy group game ended in a tie, the first point either team has dropped in the competition.
It was a splendid result for Cumbria as Oxfordshire have recently won the NCCA T20 title and last season were the NCCA three-day champions, and are arguably the strongest team in the competition.
Everything hinged on the final over of the game with the hosts on 247-8, needing nine runs for victory.
Brodie Glendinning, Cumbria’s most successful bowler was charged with sending down that 50th over and it started well when he had Prav Chaval caught by Michael Slack off his first delivery.
Nine still wanted, and the last pair at the wicket, new batsman Joe Thomas took a single off the next ball before Glendinning bowled a wide to Robbie Shurmer.
A single for Shurmer and a dot ball to Thomas left Oxfordshire needing six off the final two deliveries.
Thomas got the penultimate ball through for four and it was all on the last ball with two needed.
Once Thomas connected they were going to go for two and although they crossed for one Thomas was run out going for the winning single, so a thrilling contest ended all square.
Glendinning, a former Durham pro, had produced a man of the match performance for his side, taking 5-31 from nine overs which included the pressure one at the end. That on top of a fine knock of 51 not out earlier in the day.
Cumbria had been asked to bat first and for the second game in a row former captain Gary Pratt scored a century to anchor the innings/ He made 112 from 127 deliveries and helped himself to 50 in boundaries – 11 fours and a six.
Matthew Sempill gave most support with 29 until a swashbuckling half century from Glendinning at the end hoisted Cumbria to 255-8.
Glendinning only faced 35 balls for his 51 not out and he hit five sixes, as well as two fours.
Oxfordshire made a fast start and were 40 after seven overs when they lost their first wicket but at 87-4 almost at half-way, had dropped well behind the run rate.
The man who got them back into the contest was Jonathan Cater, skipper and wicket-keeper who hit 104 off 118 deliveries.
Crucially he was dismissed by Slack off the final ball of the penultimate over to set up the dramatic finale.
Nico Watt was one of seven bowlers used by Slack and the only one to complete his ten overs. He finished with 2-44.
Cumbria will complete the group stage of the competition on June 26 at Keswick against Northumberland but look well placed to qualify for the next stage.
