South African Ryan Canning hit a superb century to save Oxford from defeat at leaders High Wycombe in Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 1.

Facing Wycombe’s daunting total of 296-4 dec off 64 overs after the Bucks club had won the toss and elected to bat, Canning hit 101 to steer Oxford to safety and a draw at 206-8.

The 28-year-old’s runs came off 125 balls and included 13 fours.

But he received little support from his teammates with Joe Porter the next best with 19, and Oxford remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Wycombe’s batsmen had earlier tucked into the Oxford bowling with only left-arm spinner Francois Vainker having any success with 4-118.

Nick Robinson and Alex Morgan put on 74 for the first wicket, before Vainker had the latter caught and bowled for 23.

Robinson was Vainker’s second victim, caught by Porter for 62 off 87 balls with 11 fours to make it 109-2.

But then James Benning joined skipper Matt Eyles in a third-wicket stand of 105, before the Wycombe captain was caught by Jamie Perkin for 70 off 106 balls with seven fours.

Benning and David Cranfield-Thompson maintained the momentum, before the former was caught by Shamilal Mendis off Vainker for 89 off 109 balls, which included 12 fours and two sixes.

Cranfield-Thompson was unbeaten on 41 off as many balls when the declaration came a run later.

Oxford were never in the hunt in reply, but thanks to Canning they held the leaders at bay.

Chris Sandbach was the first to go, caught behind by Cranfield-Thompson off Benning for 14.

Stewart Laudat was trapped lbw by Sohauil Hussain, and when Perkin was snapped up by Cranfield-Thompson off Rory Wilson, Oxford were 54-3.

Dan King helped Canning stem the tide before he was caught by Hussain off Chris Sketchley for 16.

And then Porter, playing his first game for three years, put on 72 with Canning for the fifth wicket before was adjudged lbw to Benning.

Skipper Ian Crosby was caught and bowled by Sketchley, and when Canning fell to a Benning catch off spinner Luke Beaven to leave Oxford 193-7, Wycombe had a sniff of victory.

But despite Sketchley removing Mendis lbw to finish with 3-33, they held on for a draw.

High Wycombe 15pts, Oxford 7