MINOR COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP: WESTERN DIVISION

OXFORDSHIRE captain Luke Ryan criticised his opposite number as their match with Herefordshire petered out into a draw at Banbury yesterday.

Ryan was disappointed with Herefordshire skipper David Exall’s late declaration that left the hosts chasing an improbable 312 for victory in 60 overs.

In the end, the sides shook hands on the draw four overs early, with Oxfordshire having reached 155-5 and Joe Barrett making a maiden fifty.

“There was really no consideration of us going for that chase,” said Ryan.

“I was a bit disappointed with their captain. The ball was in his court to set up a game.”

Herefordshire resumed on 15-0, 82 runs ahead, and scored at more than five runs per over, but were content to bat on as their lead passed 250.

Neither side are challenging for the title, so Ryan felt there was nothing to be gained by a dull draw.

“It was disappointing that they didn’t declare before lunch,” he said.

“I would have been OK with chasing 270 off 67 overs after lunch, but they batted on and so we lost another three overs due to the innings break.

“The game just sort of petered out.

“It would have brought them into the game if we were trying to chase them down.”

The visitors were 60-2 after Chad Keegan and Karl Penhale removed openers Liam Gwynne and Nitesh Patel respectively.

But any hopes Oxon had of bowling Herefordshire out cheaply were ended by a 134-run third wicket stand between Brad Wadlan and Charlie Walker.

Wadlan was caught by substitute Charlie Hill, the Banbury youngster having come on for Michael Beard, who tweaked a hamstring while bowling and needed Ryan to finish his over.

Walker top-scored with 80 off 86 balls, while Exall added a rapid 36 from 21 deliveries.

Left-arm spinner Ryan was the only Oxon bowler to take more than one wicket before Herefordshire finally declared on 254-5.

Barrett’s composed 59 from 120 balls was the highlight of Oxfordshire second innings, while fellow debutant Richard Cook was at the crease when play was halted. Lloyd Sabin and Barrett fell to former Oxford UCCE seamer Dan Conway, with leg-spinner Mohammed Pardesi bagging the other wickets.