LLOYD Sabin hit a half-century as Oxford MCCU opened their new season with a ‘draw’ in their 50-over practice match against Leicestershire in The Parks.

The Banbury and Oxfordshire batsman scored 81 off 103 balls before falling lbw to Jigar Naik.

Luke Webb (43no), Dan Wells (30) and Henry Hughes (29) were the pick of the other batsmen as the students made 198-3 off their 50 overs.

The highlight of the innings was Sabin hitting Naik for three successive boundaries.

In reply, Leicestershire’s Angus Robson and Dan Redfern put on 58 for the opening wicket, before Oxford-born Ned Eckersley and Matthew Boyce picked up the baton.

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Eckersley scored a fluent 64 and Boyce made 36 in a partnership worth 89, before the former retired.

Tom Wells (43no) and Lewis Hill (34no) saw the visitors bat on after passing Oxford’s target, and eventually closed on 252-3.

However, the game will officially be recorded as a draw.

Malcolm Lake took 2-64 for Oxford, with Sam Weller the other wicket-taker.

However, debutant Jack Grundy was the pick of the bowlers, with 0-19 off six tidy overs.