BERKS BOOK PLACE IN FINALS DAY WITH WIN OVER OXFORDSHIRE

BERKSHIRE have become the first side to book a place in the National Counties T20 Finals Day after defeating holders Oxfordshire by three wickets in the opening match of their double-header at Thame last Monday.

It was a superb effort as they were chasing a big target with Oxon posting an impressive 186-6 with 54 runs coming off the last three overs on the back of a sensational innings from Samit Patel, who blasted 114 off 63 balls with nine maximums and seven fours.

Dan Lincoln, with 51 from 34 balls, and Andy Rishton, 57 from 29 deliveries, led the Berkshire run chase with good support coming from Euan Woods (26) and Josh

Lincoln (22).

Berkshire required three from the last two balls of the match; Toby Greatwood scrambled a leg bye before Rhodri Lewis struck the final delivery to the boundary to secure their passage to Finals Day at Tring Park on May 21 as Group Four winners.

Berkshire suffered their first defeat of the eason in the second match, losing to Oxfordshire by 41 runs.

Savin Perera top-scored with 26 as they could only muster 133-9 in reply to the home side’s 174-8, of which Jamie Harrison contributed 76 from 46 balls.

On Sunday, Berks had completed a double over Bedfordshire at Wargrave.

They won the first game by seven wickets, needing just 10.2 overs to overtake the visitors’ score of 71-8.

Beds made them work harder in the second game, the difference being just 11 runs.

Berks were bowled out for 120 with Jack Davies making 27, Charlie Dunnett 25 and Shaariq Sheikh 20, but they limited their visitors to 109-8, Kashif Ali making 60 while the five other members of their top six mustered just 20 between them.