Report: Michael Knox

Image: Andy Bone, Sports Shots

Young Billy Dodds was the star as Bucks secured two wins in their NCCA Dojo T20 Group 3 double-header against neighbours Oxfordshire Men at Marlow on Sunday. 

The 18-year-old High Wycombe all-rounder hit two spectacular half-centuries and picked up some useful wickets as Bucks went second in the Group 3 table.

On an excellent pitch, Bucks were put in to bat in the first game and got off to a flying start thanks to Dodds, who hammered 70 off just 46 balls with four sixes and six fours. He shared a stand of 75 in eight overs with Matt Pardoe (29).

After losing three wickets for two runs in mid-innings, Bucks recovered to score 31 from the last 15 balls thanks to Billy's elder brother Archie, Stony Stratford debutant Charlie Oldershaw and skipper Conner Haddow to reach 188-8 from their 20 overs.

This seemed a gettable target but Oxon never threatened after Billy Dodds took two early wickets with his off-spin, finishing with 3-39.

Only Hayden Rossouw (41) offered much resistance as Oxon were dismissed for 135 in 18.5 overs to give Bucks a 53-run success. 

After Bucks chose to bat first in the second game, Billy Dodds played even better scoring 78 off 47 balls, again with four sixes and six fours. He shared a third-wicket stand of 104 in ten overs with Pardoe. 

Following Dodds's dismissal, Pardoe (68 not out from 42 balls with three sixes) and Josh Lincoln, who hit five sixes while making 47 not out from 21 balls, added 72 from the last 5.4 overs to lift Bucks to a formidable 210-3 from their 20 overs. 

Again Oxon never threatened despite 73 from 41 balls from Rossouw. Excellent catches in the deep supported some clever bowling and restricted the visitors to 180-6, giving Bucks a 30-run victory. 

They are now level in points with group leaders Berkshire, whom they meet in a double-header at Wokingham this Sunday.

Game One Scorecard

Game Two Scorecard