WHEN Gareth Andrew signed for Oxfordshire he wanted to lead by example in a fledgling side – and he did that in abundance this week.

The former Worcestershire seamer returned stunning match-winning figures of 14-107 during the 121-run victory over Dorset in the Unicorns Counties Championship.

Andrew, made captain in the absence of Jonny Cater, led from the front as Oxon recorded their first Western Division win of the season.

The 34-year-old not only starred with the ball, but scored a vital 72 in the second innings as he produced an impressive all-round display at Banbury.

Andrew took 8-40 and then 6-67 against Dorset, but the Somerset-born all-rounder, who spent 16 years playing first-class cricket, was humble about his performance.

He said: “I was very happy to contribute to the game.

“We had quite a few other contributions from players over the few days which put us in a position to win the game.

“Being a first or second change bowler in first-class cricket, you don’t get that exposure to mop up tails with the new ball.

“I’ve never taken 14 in a game before. I’m not really a big stat person, but I can tell you I definitely haven’t done that.”

Andrew, who also played for Somerset, Canterbury and Hampshire, combined well with fellow seamer Tom Price, who took match figures of 4-74.

He added: “The pitch suited me – I could get a good length and we bowled well in partnerships.

“There was a lot of pressure put on by the bowlers and Tom Price got wickets for his hard work.

“The ball moved around well in the air and off the seam.”

Andrew has been playing domestically for Birmingham & District League side Ombersley since leaving first-class cricket in 2016.

This year marks his first season in a minor counties side and he was cautious about which team to join.

Oxon had been looking for an experienced all-rounder to fill the void left by Chad Keegan in 2016 and Andrew, who also has family ties to the area, felt it was the right move.

He said: “I had not played minor counties since leaving first-class cricket for a reason – I was not going to stand in the way of young players.

“But Oxfordshire called me to say they needed someone with experience and that for me was the right reason.

“I had ties with Oxfordshire through my father (former Dorchester-on-Thames CC chairman Peter Andrew) and thought it would be my club.

“All the younger players have the skills, but the difference at the next level is the small things and if I can help a couple of them then that will be good.”