JAMES Coles hit a scintillating unbeaten century from 62 balls as Oxfordshire Under 10s cantered to a nine-wicket victory against the Best of Districts Under 11s at Didcot.
The Districts, made up of aspiring Oxon players, started strongly, with James Coombes hitting a quick-fire 34.
Captain Luke Higgins finished unbeaten on 73, having steered his side to a strong-looking 180-9 from 40 overs.
In reply, Kane Durrant trapping the dangerous Freddie Smith lbw for 14, but this only served to unite Coles and Luke Charlesworth, and they were never separated.
Charlesworth eased his way to an unbeaten 51, but nine-year-old Coles, from Aston Rowant, took centre stage: cutting, pulling and driving on the up with immaculate timing and no little power.
He struck 18 boundaries, the last of which – lofted down the ground and belying no indication of the nervous nineties – brought him to 101 and sealed the nine-wicket win.
Oxon host Wiltshire at Minster Lovell in a friendly today.
Scores: Best of Districts 180-9 (40 ovs, L Higgins 73no, J Coombes 34), Oxfordshire Under 10 182-1 (31.2 ovs, J Coles 101no, L Charlesworth 51no).
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