Solid start on day one at Oxton

By James Emmerson

Day 1: Cheshire ended day 1 with a defecit of 262, but all wickets intact. after Dorset put in a burst of run scoring in the last session at Oxton today.

The morning session was honours even, Dorset 98-3 after 35 overs of interesting cricket. Michael Finan, one of six left arm over quick bowlers to bowl today, found a good rhythm once he switched ends to make use of the breeze which was with us throughout the day, generating some real pace. David Wainwright was very accurate from the pavilion end, Dorset managing only 10 fours in the session despite the quick outfield.

Session 2 was shaded by Cheshire, Dorset scoring 119-2 in the 41 overs bowled with Luke Webb scoring 49 runs off 119 balls he faced during the afternoon as his stand of 63 with Greg Willows took 170 balls to compile, the pair taking no chances. Tea was taken after 76 overs with Dorset 217-5.

The last session was a very different tempo as Dorset really accelerated, 108 runs coming in their last 14 overs. Webb finally fell for 82 but keeper Ed Ellis batted really well, 11 fours in an accomplished 71(81 balls) and a rapid stand of 47 in 4 overs for the 8th enabling Dorset to claim maximum batting points off the last ball of their 90 overs.

Cheshire had a minimum 17 overs to face and in the event had 19, in which time Tim Hughes (Didsbury) and Calum Rowe (Bollington) looked increasingly assured, hitting eight boundaries between them as Cheshire closed day one on 63-0.