CONRAD SUTCLIFFE AT THE COUNTY GROUND

DEVON have got a task on their hands to get competitive against Oxfordshire on day two of the Durant Cricket National Counties Championship game at Exeter.

Oxfordshire dominated day one by a distance as they made it to 291 all out then reduced Devon to 99 for four by close of play.

Most of the damage was done in the pre-lunch session when Devon bowled too short at times and with too much width too much of the time, which allowed Oxfordshire to reach 160 for two at the break.

Opening bowler Kazi Szymanski was a notable exception. He got through 14 overs at less than four runs each and was unfortunate not to have at least one wicket and possibly two.

Zach Lion-Cachet, batting first wicket down for Oxfordshire, went on to make his maiden red-ball century after lunch before he got bogged down against the Devon spinners and departed to Max Shepherd.

Shepherd, skipper Jamie Stephens and leg-spinner Will Christophers largely succeeded in slowing down Oxfordshire after lunch.

Stephens led the bowling effort with five Oxfordshire wickets for 86 runs conceded from 28 overs bowled.

Shepherd, none for 21 from three overs before lunch, bowled with much more control after the interval and finished with three for 76 from 24 overs.

And Christophers (2-37) polished off the tail-enders. The last man standing for Oxfordshire was Jared Warner, who grafted to 52 not out from 96 balls in his role as lower-order anchorman.

Opener James Horler was 52 not out for Devon when stumps were pulled 31 overs into their first innings at the end of day one.

An opening stand of 51 between Horler and Elliot Hamilton ended when the latter was trapped lbw by George Tait for 24.

Matt Thompson and Fin Hill both fell leg-before to Max Mannering and nightwatchman Shepherd was the last man out in the penultimate over of the day.

Devon go into day two 192 runs behind and, according to team boss Dave Tall, plenty to put right.

“We were poor for the entire first session, during which we lacked concentration and discipline with the ball and the fact Oxfordshire were 160 for two at lunch tells its own story,” said Tall.

“Jamie Stephens had to bring himself on far earlier than he would have liked to try and slow Oxfordshire as we were bowling far too many four balls.

“Kazi bowled well – on another day he would have had the wickets he deserved – and just kept going at them.

“I thought we came back after lunch to bowl them out for under 300, then we ended the day a disappointing 99 for four, which has left us with a lot to do.

“It is important to remember we still have nearly 60 overs to get closer to Oxfordshire’s first innings score and we still have batting to come.

“We need to be disciplined and patient when we bat and take advantage of the bad balls Oxfordshire bowl, which will come along.”