Keith Arnold, who is standing down at the end of the season as captain, took his wickets tally for Oxfordshire to 601 on the first day of their Minor Counties Western Division match against Wales at Abergavenny yesterday.

It is the second highest total in Oxon cricket history.

Arnold took 3-50 as Wales were restricted to 291-9 off their 90 overs after being put in, but the main bowling honours went to young Jimmy Phillips.

The Banbury spinner bowled all afternoon for his best county haul of 5-81 off 33 overs.

And for good measure, he came in as nightwatchman to help his side to 58-1 off 20 overs in reply.

WALES

First Innings

D Cherry lbw Arnold ...16

G Rees c Hawtin b Phillips ...49

R Grant lbw Arnold ...98

A Jones c Arnold b Phillips ...5

W Bragg c Williams b Phillips ...9

N Swetman c Williams b Phillips ...4

H Waters c Knightley b Arnold ...35

C Roberts b Phillips ...38

C Metson lbw Phillips ...4

D Nolan not out ...10

A Shingler not out ...2

Extras ...21

Total (9 wkts, 90ovs) ...291

Fall: 1-45, 2-113, 3-119, 4-157, 5-172, 6-209, 7-267, 8-273, 9-279.

Bowling: Newhook 16-1-74-0, Arnold 18-3-50-3, Brooks 13-1-47-0, Phillips 33-8-81-5.

OXFORDSHIRE

First Innings

J Cook lbw Singler ...9

C Smith not out ...37

J Phillips not out ...4

Extras ...8

Total (1 wkt, 20ovs) ...58

Fall: 1-47.

Bowling: Swetman 6-0-19-0, Waters 4-1-18-0, Singler 6-2-12-1, Nolan 4-1-8-0.