CRICKET: Kidlington denied at death

11:15pm Sunday 17th August 2008

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Home Counties Premier League - Div 2 West

A home draw with Buckingham effectively sealed Kidlington's relegation to The Oxford Times Cherwell League, although they came within millimetres of victory.

Bowling at Buckingham's final pair, the third ball of captain Dave Taylor's final over clipped the leg stump, but didn't dislodge the bails.

Confusion reigned as Kidlinton's players appealed for a caught behind chance, but this was rightly turned down and the visitors hung on.

Kidlington are now 57 points off safety with just 75 to play for.

Having lost the toss, Kidlington's innings was once again dominated by Shazad Rana who showed excellent form in making 73, well supported by Richard Howitt (35).

Taylor, batting at five, produced a quickfire 58 to provide the innings with late impetus.

But with the exception of two smart stumpings by James Carter and 3-88 from James Gear, Buckingham could never stem the runs as Kidlington hit 237-6 from their 60 overs.

Buckingham's response was laboured to say the least.

Once Rob Large departed to the rejuvenated Jamil Faruq they completely lost their way as the spin of Bimalka Liyanarachchi (3-25) induced a top order collapse.

Buckingham were floundering at 62-5, but resolved to block out.

Tim Dredge induced some late excitement when he cleaned up the obdurate Greg Pearson for 27 and then rearranged the stumps of both Gear and Ben Stafford for ducks.

With Faruq trapping Lee Tomlinson in front for 33, four wickets had fallen for just one run in five overs.

But it was not to be as last pair Jason Ell and Leo Churms saw out the final overs despite that bail failing to fall.