IT finished honours even last night as Oxford University faced Australian Universities in a ‘student Ashes clash’ in The Parks.

Chasing Oxford’s 313 for victory, the Aussies closed day two on 270-9, but it was never as close as that suggests.

A seven-over rain delay left the visitors needing a dramatic run chase in the final hour.

This saw wickets seven, eight and nine fall for 241, 242 and 243 respectively, but the Aussies were comfortably able to bat out for a draw.

On day one, Ben Williams (113) and captain Raj Sharma (108) made centuries in Oxford’s 312-8 dec off 98 overs.

James Holliday (3-40) and Gordon Kerr (3-60) were the pick of the Aussies’ attack.

Chris Grant made 58 not out and Dan Mulvenna 48 on day two, which only saw 73 overs due to rain.

Alex Scott was Oxford’s leading bowler, claiming 4-48 in 19 overs.

Meanwhile, the Dark Blues face city rivals Oxford Brookes in a Twenty20 clash in the Parks on Friday, starting at 3pm.

This will act as a warm-up for the Varsity Twenty20 against Cambridge at Fenners the following Friday.