Ed Smith's first-ball wicket set the tone for Oxfordshire as they dominated the first day of their Tom Orford Trophy clash with Bedfordshire at Queen's College yesterday.
Smith clean bowled David Naik for a duck, and although some consolidation saw a second-wicket stand of 86, Oxfordshire were always in command.
Debutant spinner Matt Hancock then took control, finishing with superb figures of 5-54 as the visitors were bowled out for 173.
The highlight of Oxon's fielding display was a sensational diving catch by Ali Morteza to dismiss Bedfordshire's Paul Katecha.
In reply, John Barrett scored a classy half-century as Oxon set about the Bedfordshire attack.
Ali Morteza's swash- buckling 46 not out saw Oxon close just 13 runs behind on first innings.
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