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Day 1: Shaw feasts on students

Christopher Lyles

First day of three: Oxford University (10-0) trail Glamorgan (392-5 dec) by 382 runs

Adrian Shaw feasted upon some moderate bowling to record a maiden first-class century and it is unlikely that he will ever score an easier one, despite a green-tinged pitch which afforded some lateral movement early on.

Glamorgan careered along at five an over before the inevitable declaration, and Michael Powell, who scored an unbeaten double-century on his debut here two years ago, showed a full repertoire of shots in his knock of 111. The students won that match, but history is unlikely to repeat itself this year.

Oxford would not pretend to possess the strongest bowling resources but their efforts yesterday must have disappointed them. Their attack relies almost exclusively on line and length, and too often yesterday they strayed. One exception was the 19-year-old off-spinner Tom Hicks. His figures took a bit of a battering when Shaw and Powell were in full cry but he did not shy from the challenge.

Shaw's innings of 140, which spanned 189 deliveries and included two sixes and 18 fours, poses a selection dilemma for Glamorgan.

He has worn the wicketkeeping gloves in the Championship this season but is playing here purely as a batsman. The duties behind the stumps have temporarily passed to Ismail Dawood, who posted his maiden century in Monday's victory against Gloucestershire. Halcyon days for Glamorgan wicketkeepers.

Day 2: Oxford fare far better with the bat

Christopher Lyles

After their tribulations with the ball, Oxford yesterday performed with impressive application against Glamorgan to record their highest total of the season.

James Bull and Byron Byrne both made important contributions on a good batting surface, but the innings of real quality was played by Nathan Ashley, a former captain of the renowned Australian Cricket Academy.

He drove imperiously through the covers and accumulated confidently off his legs before playing around a ball of full length that swung late.

The Dark Blues' total of 289 in reply to 392 for five declared was boosted by a profligate attack who conceded an astonishing 67 extras and they capped a fine day when Salman Khan dismissed the Glamorgan openers in successive overs.

Day 3: Royal duck for Ashley

Christopher Lyles in The Parks

Oxford Univ (289 & 106-2) drew with Glamorgan (392-5 dec & 171-7 dec)

Nathan Ashley's diary entry for yesterday would be: ``Met the Queen and scored a duck.'' For the talented Australian left-hander, who is at Oxford on a one-year course in social studies, was presented to Her Majesty at lunchtime in her capacity as the Visitor of University College, which is celebrating its 750th anniversary.

His rendez-vous required a departure from the field of play at midday before a dash to the Junior Common Room.

On his return, he might have hoped for an earlier Glamorgan declaration. Instead the visitors, who made a pig's ear of their second innings, chose to bat on into the afternoon session before asking Oxford to score 275 runs in 45 overs.

Ashley, promoted to No 3 after James Bull perished in the 19th over, fell almost immediately when he cut uppishly to third man. James Louw took the chance to score his maiden first-class fifty before the match was called off with 13 overs remaining.