President's XI v AJ Smith's XI - 6 August 2026

Manager Craig Foster

Won by 85 runs

President's XI 232 (Ed Phillips 87, Matt Warner 47, Dave Eaton 40, Johnny Warner 4-1-14-2, Sam Herbert 10-2-24-2, Ed Owens 7.2-0-46-2) & 169 (Will Sharp 45, Alex Ross 35, Matt Warner 32, Lewis North 8-1-36-3, Sam Herbert 3.3-0-17-2, Jacob Eaton 7-0-69-2)

AJ Smith's XI  129 (Ed Phillips 6-1-21-3, Will Sharp 10-6-7-2, Sebastian Grocutt 8-0-40-2) & 186 (Alex Basford 41, Trevon Burgess 21*,  Dave Eaton 10-5-23-3, Matt Warner 6-0-14-2, Ed Phillips 4-1-20-2, Sebastian Grocutt 9-0-54-2)

There was lovely warm summer weather at Oxford Downs CC for what was the very first two-day President's match over four innings. Anticipation was high when the President won the toss and chose to bat. The President's XI made a shaky start, losing Crouch, Ross and Hutton within the space of two overs. Ed Phillips and Matt Warner steadied the ship before Phillips fell to a dubious run-out on 87. Will Sharp suffered a second-ball duck, which brought Dave Eaton to the crease. He and Warner maintained the momentum before Warner was caught for 47 and Eaton followed soon after for 40. Eventually the side were dismissed for 231 with Owens, Herbert and Jonny Warner each picking up two wickets.

Andrew Smith's XI had a disappointing first innings, being bowled out for 129 in 43 overs. Phillips (3-21) also shone with the ball and there were two wickets each for Sebastian Grocutt and Sharp, whose 2-7 in ten overs was outstanding.

In the 15 overs left on day one, the President's XI got stuck into scoring some quick runs, Sharp making a rapid 45 to increase their advantage. Both teams enjoyed an excellent evening in the clubhouse with a curry and plenty of banter.

Day two started more slowly after the previous night's activities. After Crouch went early Ross and Matt Warner made 35 and 32 respectively before the declaration at 169-7.

Set a target of  271 for victory in about 60 overs, Shiraz and Lee Tomlinson got Smith's XI off to a steady start, while Alex Basford made a notable 41. But after him, there was little in the run chase with wickets falling regularly. The anchor was attempted to be dropped but some outstanding fielding from Matt Warner (a catch and a run-out) and a superb delivery to remove the obdurate Lewis North, the game was over with the President's XI winning by  85 runs.

It was a fabulous two days with some great cricket and plenty of laughs. The two-day format worked well.