Craig Haupt was Oxfordshire’s unlikely bowling hero as they won through to the quarter-finals of the Minor Counties KO Cup on a bowl-out yesterday.
The big Banbury batsman was called into action after heavy rain had forced the abandonment of Oxon’s second-round tie against Cumberland at Sedbergh School.
Just under two hours play was possible before two heavy showers flooded the ground.
The umpires had no option but to order a bowl-out in which five players from each side bowl two balls at a single stump 22 yards away.
Former skipper Keith Arnold went first for Oxon, striking one out of two, to match the feat achieved by Cumberland’s Marcus Sharp.
After Jimmy Wismiewski and David Barnes missed for the hosts, off-spinner Jimmy Phillips and Haupt each hit once to put Oxon 3-1 ahead.
When Cumberland’s final bowler, Richard White, missed, Oxon were through, much to the relief of their last bowler, young Stuart Hole, who was not needed.
In the play that was possible, Oxon reduced their opponents to 104-5 in 28.1 overs.
Richard Lynch took two cheap wickets, but then had to come off the field with an ankle injury. His over was completed by Stewart Laudat.
In the quarter-final, Oxon will be away to Dorset or Cornwall on Sunday, July 10.
CUMBERLAND
D Barnes c Harding b Arnold…12
S Richardson lbw Arnold…32
V Craven b St Hole…15
A Metcalfe not out…14
R Waite lbw Lynch…7
J Wismiewski b Lynch…0
G Capstick not out…4
Extras…19
Total (5 wkts, 28.1 ovs)…104
Fall: 1-12, 2-70, 3-74, 4-87, 5-87.
Bowling: Arnold 9.1-1-38-2, St Hole 7-1-32-1, Hewitt 5-1-14-0, Lynch 3.2-1-4-2. Laudat 3.4-2-5-0.