Oxford MCCU v Kent, day one report
Both Alex Blake and Scott Newman starred with the bat for
Blake was in imperious form as he fell just three runs short of a century, whilst Newman was equally combative as he hit 89, as
A much changed
Sam Northeast captained the side in Key's absence and had no hesitation in electing to bat having won the toss.
However, it wasn't to be the most memorable innings for Northeast as he fell on the fourth ball with the score on three, with number three Mike Powell in and out for a brisk twelve before being bowled by Kent colleague Ben Kemp playing for Oxford, where he is currently a student.
Wicketkeeper Sam Billings came and went too for just three leaving Kent in trouble at 41 for 3, but Newman and Blake were to put on 117 runs for the fourth wicket.
Both looked comfortable at the crease as they put the Oxford MCCU attack to the sword with Newman going on to hit eleven boundaries in his 135 ball stay, whilst Blake showed the potential he has by working the ball around nicely whilst picking up fours at regular intervals.
Newman eventually fell for 89, trapped lbw by Indian off spinner Sam Agarwal, with Ben Harmison coming in at six and giving Blake the support to take the score past two hundred.
Harmison went with the scoreon 220 for 5and Blake was to follow shortly after, agonisingly close to a well-deserved century.
Both Daniel Bell-Drummond and Fabian Cowdrey hardly troubled the scorers as batting became difficult for
There was still time for 17 overs before the close with Adam Ball picking up two quick wickets, reducing Oxford MCCU to 12 for 2 at one point, but they recovered to close the day on 50 for 2 with Ben Williams (19 not out) and Charlie Walker (20 not out) seeing them through to stumps.
Close of play day one:
Match report courtesy of Kent Sports News.