Oxfordshire Academy recorded a 40-run victory over NSW Combined High Schools (Australia) at Kidlington.

Captain Richard Cook had no hesitation in batting first, and Oxon produced their best display of the season.

Harry Smith and Vishane Perera shared 160 for the first wicket, Perera falling just five runs short of what would have been a well-deserved century, while Smith hit 74.

After Smith was out, the visitors put the brakes on Oxon’s scoring rate, with a couple of run-outs seeing Oxon slip to 206-4.

But a belligerent 44 from 21 balls from Cook took Oxon to 266-8 from their 50 overs.

The tourists got off to a quick start in reply, Matt Condon hitting 24 in 17 balls and Jonah Sammut top-scoring with 46.

But the introduction of left-arm spinner Sasha Barras helped Oxon regain control as he claimed 4-48 in ten overs.

Michael Beard’s 1-35 from ten also applied the pressure, and the Aussies lost wickets at regular intervals.

They were eventually bowled out for 226 with a little more than three overs remaining