New Zealand's newest first-class cricketer hasn't represented any of New Zealand's Major Associations, but he has scrubbed up with a win on debut in one of England's most history-laden fixtures!
At 26, our own JAMES BEVIN - who is undertaking his post-graduate studies at Oxford - received his maiden first-class cap for the Oxford Blues, picked for the annual first-class fixture between Oxford and Cambridge Universities that was played at Cambridge on July 2-4 2019.
Cambridge won the toss and batted, putting 228 all out on the board in their first innings with no hint of the drama to come.
Batting at five, James contributed 29 on his debut as Oxford replied with 296, their anchorman reaching 146 and the rest of the line-up chipping in support. While a first-innings lead of 68 might have appeared on the slim side, the match was to progress rapidly on the third day as Oxford then bundled our Cambridge for just 157 in the second dig.
Oxford lost both openers in the winning chase, James (18*) coming in at four with the score at 28/2 and sharing in an unbeaten third wicket partnership of 63 to finish the job - a special experience, polishing off the winning runs in a handsome eight-wicket win, with a day to spare.
All of us at New Zealand Croatia Cricket would like to take this opportunity to congratulate James on a very special achievement in the sport... and well done, Oxford!
Full scorecard
At 26, our own JAMES BEVIN - who is undertaking his post-graduate studies at Oxford - received his maiden first-class cap for the Oxford Blues, picked for the annual first-class fixture between Oxford and Cambridge Universities that was played at Cambridge on July 2-4 2019.
Cambridge won the toss and batted, putting 228 all out on the board in their first innings with no hint of the drama to come.
Batting at five, James contributed 29 on his debut as Oxford replied with 296, their anchorman reaching 146 and the rest of the line-up chipping in support. While a first-innings lead of 68 might have appeared on the slim side, the match was to progress rapidly on the third day as Oxford then bundled our Cambridge for just 157 in the second dig.
Oxford lost both openers in the winning chase, James (18*) coming in at four with the score at 28/2 and sharing in an unbeaten third wicket partnership of 63 to finish the job - a special experience, polishing off the winning runs in a handsome eight-wicket win, with a day to spare.
All of us at New Zealand Croatia Cricket would like to take this opportunity to congratulate James on a very special achievement in the sport... and well done, Oxford!
Full scorecard