Cambridge strike out in the Women's Varsity matchLouis Ashworth

by Imran Marashli

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5:48pm That's all from me. Do tune in again to Varsity next week for the 50-over game at Lord's. Until then, goodbye!

Analysis

Imran Marashli

Sport Reporter

5:47pm Cambridge edged Oxford with both bat and ball today and deserved to make it two Cambridge wins from two. They were on the rocks early on, but recovered from a perilous position to make 133-7, led by a terrific 34-ball 43 from Tim Moses. 

In their chase, Oxford were always hampered by regular wickets and disciplined Cambridge bowling. Matthew Hughes almost single-handedly kept Oxford in the hunt with a brilliant 59, but it wasn't enough, and Moses was once again at the centre of the action with some outstanding death bowling alongside Poulson. The bowling throughout was excellent, Winder and Sale tying down both their ends after Crichard and Moses had made early inroads into the Oxford batsmen. 

Overall, it is Cambridge's day to savour before the 50-over match at Lord's on Friday. 

5:33pm Tim Moses has to be the Varsity man of the match. His quickfire batting and composed death bowling were instrumental to Cambridge's win. Full report, with more interviews and analysis, to follow.

5:25pm CAMBRIDGE WIN! Oxford finish on 123-7 after their 20 overs.

Despite the heroic batting efforts of Matthew Hughes, his 59 was not enough to reverse Cambridge's advantage. The Light Blues seal the deal with a wonderfully symmetrical 9-run win to add to the 9-wicket women's win earlier today. What a day for Cambridge cricket!

5:23pm GAME, SET, MATCH: CAMBRIDGE! 

Hughes skies the ball into the air, and it is plucked by Poulson off his own bowling.

He departs for a terrific 59 to the applause of all. But Cambridge are one legal delivery away from certain victory!

5:22pm Dot ball! Hughes can't make contact with his swing. 12 off 2 needed. 

5:22pm Single. 12 off 3 needed. Hughes on strike.

5:21pm Four! Pettman finds the boundary at point. 13 off 4 needed.

5:21pm Dot. 17 from 5 needed.

5:21pm Oxford 117-6 after 19 overs

Well, here we go, everyone, this is the game's climax. Moses held his nerve superbly with almost flawless death bowling. Can Poulson finish the job off? 17 needed from 6.

5:19pm He's human after all! Leg-side wide gives Oxford another ball. Pettman on strike. Hughes watches helplessly at the other end on 59.

5:18pm WICKET! Oxford 115-6

Moses has added to an already stupendous game. Another dot, and now Brock has edged behind. 7 balls left. His ice-cool nerves in the Fenner's cauldron really is commendable. Oxford's hopes fade. 

5:16pm Brilliant start: dot, dot, then one leg bye. Hughes was moving all over the crease to put Moses off, but it didn't work.

5:15pm It's Moses with the penultimate over of the match. This is the definition of squeaky bum time.

5:15pm Oxford 114-5 after 18 overs

Nervy moments there for Cambridge as they gave extras and extra balls to Oxford's big hitters, who, however, could only run singles and twos. 20 needed off the final two overs.

5:14pm Another wide! The crowd groans again, and Poulson remonstrates with the umpire in disbelief. 

5:11pm Dicey moments for Cambridge, as their discipline slips for the first time today in the field. Poulson bowls two consecutive wides, much to the dismay of the crowd. 24 needed off two and a bit overs.

5:11pm Captain Tice has wisely decided to field lots of men on the boundaries and let Oxford have the singles. Oxford need to trade in boundaries now.

5:09pm Oxford 105-5 after 17 overs

Brilliant death bowling from Tim Moses, who's barely put a foot wrong today. Slower-ball bouncers mixed with fast full deliveries restrict the Oxford pair, despite their big swings of the bat. The run rate is almost 10 an over.

5:05pm Oxford 101-5 after 16 overs

It's tense, make no mistake about that. Hughes is taking the fight to Cambridge, and is now 54 not out, joined by Brock on 12. Cambridge's spinners have had their fill. They need 33 runs from 4 overs, just under 8 an over - tough, but doable. Moses returns to the attack . Will the pace help or hinder the Oxford batsmen?

5:03pm Half-century for Hughes! And what a way to bring it up, heaving Sale away for a six over midwicket. Without him, Oxford would be down and out already.

5:01pm Oxford 91-5 after 15 overs

Drama there as Hughes advanced to take it to Winder again. Winder dived brilliantly to his right to field and shy at the stumps. Cambridge appeal for a run out, but the diving Hughes just got back in time. Where's the third umpire when you need him?

5:00pm SIX! 

That man Hughes again! After stroking Winder through the cover for four, he smashes him for six over midwicket. 

4:58pm Oxford 76-5 after 14 overs

Delightful boundary from the new man Brock, getting down on one knee and reverse-sweeping for four down to fine leg. But Oxford now need a mini-miracle to rescue this one. With Hughes still at the crease, though, it's still possible.

4:54pm Oxford 67-5 after 13 overs

That was another timely wicket for Cambridge. The spin bowlers have complemented the seamers excellently hitherto. Oxford just can't get out and hit the boundaries they so desperately need now. 

4:52pm WICKET! Oxford 66-5

Howzat?! It's plumb lbw, agrees the umpire. Winder strikes with a ball that Harrison played all around. He was back in his crease and right in front of the stumps - the umpire did not hesitate to raise the dreaded finger.

4:50pm Oxford 60-4 after 12 overs

Nice shot through backward point from the new man Harrison, but he needs to stay there to support the in-form Matthew Hughes, who's been losing partners throughout the innings and is currently 30 not out.

4:47pm WICKET! Oxford 54-4

RUN OUT! Oh dear, Oxford. Just as the partnership was building some momentum, they've done what Charlotte Graham did in the first over of the day - getting themselves needlessly run out! Naylor has to walk for 15.

4:45pm Oxford 54-3 after 11 overs

Hughes moves on to 28 with a beautiful drive through the covers off Winder. Oxford need to keep this momentum going, and then up it some more to recover from this position.

4:43pm Oxford 46-3 after 10 overs

Rory Sale makes it a left-arm spin duo from the other end, and Oxford run some rapid singles but cannot find the boundary. 

Halfway through the innings, it doesn't take a mathematical genius to work out that Oxford are currently miles behind the required run rate. It would be some comeback to win from here. Naylor and Hughes are building a more long-lasting partnership without it, however, being a quick-scoring one.

4:39pm Oxford 39-3 after nine overs

Nick Winder's left-arm off breaks do not relent the pressure. Some brilliant fielding in the deep from Cambridge to prevent a boundary after a short-pitched ball was walloped towards midwicket. Cambridge are playing excellent all-round cricket.

4:35pm Oxford 35-3 after 8 overs

Hughes hits a fine shot through the covers for four, but Poulson keeps it tight otherwise. One boundary per over isn't enough at this rate, I feel. Oxford need to eliminate the dot balls and find more sharp singles and twos alongside the big shots if they are to manage this run chase.

4:32pm Oxford 27-3 after seven overs

What a spell from Crichard. His four overs are up, and he gave the Oxford batsmen nothing to hit that was wide or short. Naylor in this over played out several defensive dot balls and can only sneak a single. Excellent bowling from the Johnian. The required run rate is shooting up now.

4:28pm Oxford 25-3 after six overs

James Poulson's pace is introduced, and it's a solid first over from the Homertonian, only conceding a single. And that scoreboard pressure only grows and grows...

4:25pm Oxford 24-3 after five overs

The new batsman, Naylor, is welcomed to the crease with another Crichard snorter, and he gets off the mark with a streaky edge down to third man for four. Cambridge pace attack is on song today.

4:22pm WICKET! Oxford 20-3

Beauty! Just as Oxford gain some momentum, it is stymied again by a Cambridge wicket. Crichard steamed in again, and an inswinging delivery is judged to have been edged behind to Tice. That delivery cut Rackow in half. He departs for 1. Cambridge are on a roll! 

4:21pm Oxford 20-2 after four overs

Hughes hits Moses for two boundaries, a drive through the covers excellently complemented by a deftly guided shot through third man. This pair will be looking to build a partnership to steady the Oxford ship.

4:16pm Oxford 10-2 after three overs

DROPPED! New man Rackow edges his first ball, but Tice, diving away to his right, can't keep it in the glove. A chance goes begging. Will they regret that?

4:15pm WICKET! Oxford 10-2

Gone! Crichard strikes! It's slight unfortunate for Gnodde, whose glove down the leg side only finds the gloves of Patrick Tice. Oxford in a lot of bother in their pursuit of 134. 

4:12pm Oxford 9-1 after two overs

New man Gnodde hits two sumptuous boundaries to soothe Oxford's nerves, one through midwicket and the other punched through the point-gully region. Crichard to continue at the other end.

WICKET! Oxford 1-1

You just can't keep Moses out of the game! He picks up the wicket of Escott with only his second delivery, a sharp, nasty, rearing bouncer gloved behind to the keeper. What a start for the Light Blues!

4:07pm Oxford 1-0 after one over

Tight and quick opening over from Crichard to start. Some big, booming drives from Oxford only swished through the air, and Escott fortuitously inside-edged it past his stumps for a single. Perhaps the scoreboard pressure is telling already.

4:03pm Oxford openers Escott and Hughes make their way to the middle. Ruari Crichard will open the bowling for Cambridge with his fiery pace.

3:58pm So, ladies and gentlemen, after those late-innings fireworks from Tim Moses and Rory Sale, Oxford require 134 runs to win at 6.7 runs per over. We'll be reporting the run chase very shortly!

3:48pm End of the innings: Cambridge 133-7 

That was a fabulous final over for the Light Blues. Marsden's final over goes for a costly, and, who knows, potentially match-deciding 19 runs. Sale hit four off the final ball of the innings through midwicket, while previously what should have been a run out for Oxford ended up being two after a fielding mishap. Rory Sale ended up with a valuable 24 not out off 14 balls. 

3:46pm Brilliant batting from this pair! Sale smacks one over the covers for four, and now Tice gets in on the act with a pull for six. Marsden has been expensive in his final two overs.

3:43pm Cambridge 114-7 after 19 overs

Captain Patrick Tice joins Sale at the crease and the two put in a shift to make a two out of what could have been only a single. Six balls left - what are we going to see?

3:38pm WICKET! Cambridge 108-7 after 18 overs

Marsden changes to go around the wicket, same result: four. Next ball, though, he bowls Moses, who walks off to a rapturous reception - he's just given the innings massive impetus with 43 runs off only 34 balls. That was good persistence from the Oxford pace bowler, too.

3:36pm It's the Tim Moses show here! Marsden, the pacy seamer, is back into the attack and absolutely deposited for four and six in consecutive balls. The Hughes Hall man needs to be careful he doesn't damage the adjoining Hughes Hall accommodation!

3:34pm Cambridge 94-6 after 17 overs

A great and much-needed run-filled over for Cambridge, Moses using Brock's pace to find the boundary twice with a six and a four.

3:33pm SIX! Take cover! Moses deposits Brock straight back over his head into the pavilion end, where it almost hits me in the media box! That's the first maximum of the day. Are these the anticipated end-of-innings fireworks?

3:31pm Cambridge 82-6 after 16 overs

Swanson is unlucky as Sale's outside edge flies past the wicketkeeper for a streaky four. Sale moves on to 9; Moses is still there on 17.

3:28pm Cambridge 74-6 after 15 overs

Three quarters of the way through their innings, and Cambridge's progress is grinding to almost a halt with these two wily spinners. They need to keep wickets in hand against this disciplined bowling and fielding.

3:24pm WICKET! Cambridge 68-6 after 14 overs

The trial by spin continues with Swanson, and Cambridge can only nudge and nurdle for singles. But, off the last ball of the over, he traps Poulson lbw for 9. 

3:20pm Cambridge 65-5 after 13 overs

Runs for Poulson against Gnodde, but nothing overly exuberant in the shot selection. Cambridge are recuperating at the moment before unleashing in the final few overs, it seems

3:18pm Cambridge 62-5 after 12 overs

Nice hitting from Moses, one through the covers and another lovely, wristy punch through midwicket for four. Cambridge's scoreboard is starting to revive.

But that brings a superb spell to an end for Pettman. His figures are 4 overs, 1 maiden, 3 wickets for only 17 runs. Top work.

3:14pm Cambridge 53-5 after 11 overs

Gnodde is into the attack with his left-arm spin. Moses smacks a full toss through the covers for four, but he controls the rest of the over well.

3:10pm Cambridge 46-5 after ten overs

Halfway through their innings, Cambridge are tottering after some brilliant bowling by Pettman, who's bagged a host or wickets. Cambridge also shot themselves in the foot with a needless runout. 

3:08pm WICKET! Cambridge 45-5

It's Petmann again! He wins his mini-battle against Webster, who had thumped him over mid-off for four the previous ball. He wins this time, though, as Webster, trying to work the ball into the onside, can only sky the ball into the grateful gloves of wicketkeeper Harrison.

3:05pm Cambridge 41-4 after 9 overs

New bowler Dawes responds well after being smacked through the covers by Webster, almost bowling him 2 balls later and keeping a tidy line.

3:03pm Cambridge 34-4 after eight overs

Pettman has silenced the crowd with a wonderful over, claiming two wickets. Cambridge need to take stock and rebuild. Moses and Webster are at the crease to begin the task.

3:00pm WICKET! Cambridge 34-4

Das is gone for 5, holing out to Naylor on the boundary. Oxford are well on top now. What an impact Pettman has had on the game.

2:58pm WICKET! Cambridge 34-3

Dalgleish is gone, and you have it say he never looked comfortable against the wily Pettman. Lots of air shots were followed by one that just went straight into the air, and the skier was well caught.

2:56pm Cambridge 34-2 after seven overs

Another good over from Brock against Das, who hasn't got going yet, and new man Angus Dalgleish.

2:52pm WICKET! Cambridge 33-2

Calamity for Cambridge! Senaratne is run out in farcical circumstances. Das gloved the ball behind but short of the wicketkeeper. Senaratne was already at the other end before Das sent him back, and there was no time to recover. That's a real blow, as he looked set for a good innings on 15.

2:51pm Oxford are regaining control in their bowling via Pettman at the other end. Das and Senaratne are forced into some streaky shots and misses. 

2:48pm Cambridge 29-1 after five overs

Brock has come on to bowl and is proving to be a cunning opponent, his medium-pace deliveries forcing some swings and misses from Senaratne, who has raced to 14 not out already.

2:45pm Cambridge 26-1 after four overs

Lovely batting from newcomer Senaratne. He streakily edged one to third man for four, but the next two boundaries were firmly struck. That sound of willow hitting leather never gets old.

2:42pm WICKET! Cambridge 14-1 after three overs

Swanson makes the breakthrough for Oxford! Colverd had advanced down the track and smacked Swanson to midwicket for four, but he tries it again and can only find the fielder Pettman after sweeping and missing the previous ball. Perhaps too anxious to smash every ball on that occasion.

2:38pm Cambridge 9-0 after two overs

Shot! And shot again! Marsden is steaming in from the other end, but his tight dot-ball-filled start is undone by two classy shots from Colverd. The first was a full delivery bunted over mid-on, the second flicked behind square.

2:34pm Cambridge 1-0 after one over

Interestingly, and probably intelligently, Oxford decide to open with left-arm spinner Swanson to Cambridge's right-handed openers. And it's a solid first over for the Oxford man.

Can the Cambridge men emulate the women's victory? Let's see!

2:30pm The umpires and players walk onto the pitch. The crowd buzz in anticipation. Let's go!

2:28pm Some background information: Cambridge's men will be looking to avenge a clean-sweep loss in the 4-day, ODI and T20 triad from last year. And their home form at Fenner's has been imperious in this format of the game. Oxford have also lost 7 of their victorious Blues last year, so it's once again all up for grabs. Johnny Marsden is one to look out for as their key seamer.

2:26pm Cambridge have won the toss and have elected to bat first. The sun has re-emerged from behind some cloud cover, and it looks like a glorious day to bat.

But that's what the Oxford women must have thought...

2:24pm Oxford: Thomas Brock, Ben Swanson, M. Dawes, Matthew Hughes (c), Daniel Escott, Alex Rackow, Jack Harrison, Toby Pettman, Johnny Marsden, Matthew Naylor, James Gnodde

2:21pm Cambridge: Tom Colverd, Jonathan Das, Nipuna Senaratne, Angus Dalgleish, Tim Moses, Chris Webster, James Poulson, Rory Sale, Patrick Tice (c), Ruari Crichard, Nick Winder

2:19pm We're about 10 minutes away from the men's Twenty20. Team news coming up.

1:43pm So, can the CUCC men replicate what the women have just pulled off? That would be some feat given the all-round quality of that Cambridge performance. Stay tuned for the men's match, which begins at 2.30!

Analysis

Imran Marashli

Sport Reporter

1:40pm That was simply sensational from Cambridge, from start to finish. We've just witnessed some women's cricket Varsity history, as this is the first time Cambridge have defeated their Oxford rivals. And didn't they deserve it! From the get-go, Oxford were behind when Charlotte Graham was foolishly run out in the first over. Wickets then fell regularly, and Cambridge's fielding was almost flawless – they didn't drop a catch! 

The run chase was also completed with consummate confidence and composure. Knowing they didn't have to chase a high required run rate, Barber and Fisher established a solid platform for the first-wicket partnership. Barber was sublime throughout, hitting three textbook fours for her 33 not out, and was ably joined by fellow Full Blue Chloe Allison to seal the sweetest of victories for Cambridge. 

What an upset, and by some margin! Cambridge had 7.2 overs left to chase down that target of 75, and with nine wickets left in hand. That was as close to the perfect performance as you're likely to get. Bowling, batting, and fielding: all were of a high quality and tactical intelligence. 

1:22pm AND THEY'VE DONE IT! Barber flicks it to fine leg for four, and it's a massive NINE-WICKET WIN for Cambridge, with over 7 overs to spare! Wow!

Cambridge end on 77-1, Barber hitting a masterful 33 not out!

1:21pm New bowler Siobhan Stewart helps Cambridge on their way with 2 wides. Cambridge need 2 more.

1:20pm Cambridge 71-1 after 11 overs

They're almost home and hosed! What a calm performance this has been.

1:18pm Yet another classy shot from Barber, this time a beautifully timed on drive past mid-on for four off Jewes. Fewer than 10 runs stand between Cambridge and a historic Varsity T20 victory.

1:16pm Cambridge 60-1 at the halfway mark

Great over from Barber and Allison, the two Full Blues in the team. Allison in particular was immaculate in her technique, driving Attrill back over her head pulling through midwicket for four. Cambridge are running away with this in style. 

1:11pm Cambridge 46-1 off 9 overs

Alycia Jewes enters the fray with an economical if not very threatening over. Cambridge still look cool.

1:08pm Cambridge 43-1 off 8 overs

Allison gets off the mark with some singles. Cambridge seem to be resettling.

1:05pm WICKET! Cambridge 38-1

Attrill makes the breakthrough, as she bowls Fisher for 14. Can Oxford haul this game back in their favour?

1:05pm Cambridge 38-0 after 7 overs

SHOT! Gorgeous straight drive back down the ground from Frankie Barber. That is the shot of the day so far.

1:00pm Cambridge 30-0 after 6 overs

Dropped! Big let-off for Fisher, as she mistimes a full toss, but the ball slips through the fielder's fingers! That was the break Oxford so badly needed, but they have squandered it!

12:59pm Barber bunts a full toss from Atrill behind square for four. The Cantab crowd are loving it. 

12:57pm Cambridge 24-0 after five overs

What a confident start this has been from the opening pair of Barber and Fisher. Moore's third over is another innocuous one. Everything is being played with utmost orthodoxy, and Cambridge are moving onwards well above the required run rate.

12:53pm Cambridge 20-0 after four overs

Atrill is into the attack with her medium-paced darts. But Barber and Fisher knock her about confidently, with a lovely pull shot from Fisher bringing up the first boundary of the innings. Cambridge are cruising, Oxford need something dramatic.

12:50pm Cambridge 15-0 after three overs

More calm batting from this opening pair keeps the scoreboard ticking over nicely. Moore didn't create any chance, but Oxford need early breakthroughs if they are to rattle this buoyant Cambridge side.

12:47pm Cambridge 10-0 after two overs

Two wides and a no ball from Imogen Brown help Cambridge with some freebies. Frankie Barber is on 3 and Hannah Fisher on 2, intelligently working the ball to fine leg and third man for singles and twos. No rush.

12:42pm End of first over: Cambridge 2-0

Barber and Fisher play out the first over safely against Moore. Imogen Brown to accompany her from the other end.

12:38pm Cambridge innings is about to get underway. They really don't need to go chasing this game after an excellent performance in the field. Can they do it?

12:37pm Full scorecard for Oxford is remarkable. Imogen Brown was the joint top scorer alongside extras on 18 runs. There were lots of brief visits to the crease for the Dark Blues.

12:27pm End of the Oxford innings: Oxford 74-9 after 20 overs

Well, well, well, who saw that coming? Cambridge have been on top of their bitter rivals from the very start, and it all began in the first over with a mad run out of Charlotte Graham. Cambridge require 75 runs off 20 overs at only 3.75 an over. 

12:24pm WICKET! Oxford 73-9

Viney is in on the act again against the heaving Oxford tailenders. Fry's defences are breached, the bails are sent flying, and so are Cambridge!

12:20pm Oxford 72-8 after 19 overs

Opening bowler Fisher returns to the attack, but concedes two no-balls and hence two free hits. Fry fails to connect with the second one, but Oxford picked up three from the first. 6 balls to go!

12:17pm Oxford 69-8 after 18 overs.

The tail cannot get Viney away. The last Oxford boundary seems like an aeon ago. Can they boost their total in these next two overs?

12:13pm WICKET Oxford 68-8 after 17 overs

Jewes is out for a golden duck! A sliced swipe at the ball goes straight up in the air and is snaffled. Cambridge are rampant!

12:11pm WICKET! Oxford 68-7

Another caught and bowled! Kate grabs a tame straight drive from Lucy Taylor, who is out for 3. We are well into the tail now, and Oxford risk being bowled out.

12:08pm Oxford 63-6 after 16 overs.

Stewart and Lucy Taylor are still struggling to find the gaps against some disciplined Cambridge bowling.

12:05pm Oxford 60-6 after 15 overs

Kate's loopy medium-pace bowling also proved tricky to hit through the close fielders, only conceding one wide in a tight first over. All the momentum is Cambridge's now. Five big overs still to come. 

12:02pm Oxford 59-6 after 14 overs.

What a brilliant bit of cricket that was from Viney. Oxford are in all sorts of trouble. At this rate, they might not even bat out their allotted 120 balls.

Preeti Kate is now bowling to Siobhan Stewart.

12:00pm WICKET! Oxford 59-6

Oxford are six down, and it's the danger woman Moore who is brilliantly dismissed by Viney, who took a sharp catch off her own bowling - Moore had really hammered that, but she has to go for an aesthetically pleasing 15. Sensational cricket from Cambridge!

11:58am Oxford 56-5 after 13 overs.

Allison's loopy, full leg spinners are causing Oxford all sorts of difficulty, and she's proving hard to get away. I'm certain 'extras' must be one of Oxford's highest scorers today. Christine Viney is now into the attack.

11:54am Oxford 56-5 after 12 overs

Lovely clip through midwicket for 4 by Moore off Blackshaw. She has now moved on to 13 not out. She's joined by Lucy Taylor in the middle, and they're looking more sedate in their attempts to accumulate runs than the gung-ho madness at the top of the order. 

11:49am At the halfway stage in the innings, Oxford are 48-5.

Only one run conceded by Blackshaw in her last over. The dots are accumulating more quickly than Oxford runs at the minute. Allison is twirling away nicely at the other end, too.

11:47am Oxford 47-5 after 9 overs.

Terrific maiden over from the leggie Allison. Oxford well under the cosh.

WICKET! Oxford 47-5 off eight overs.

Katie Gibson plucks out a lovely catch to dismiss Attrill for 4. Nadia Blackshaw is now in on the act.

11:40am Oxford 40-4 after seven overs.

Some quick corrections from the scorecard: Picker, Graham, Brown, and Taylor have so far been dismissed. Moore and Attrill at the crease.

11:36am WICKET! Oxford 38-4

It's new bowler Chloe Allison who has the breakthrough! The legspinner's slower pace brings something different, and Moore is castled as she simply misses a yorker-length delivery. 

11:34am End of over 6: Oxford 38-3

Cambridge's tight bowling discipline is starting to fray somewhat – more legside wides are creeping into their game, and Oxford seem to be settling with Alycia Jewes and Moore at the crease. 

11:30am Oxford 31-3 at the end of five overs. 

A good over from Moore to calm some nervy Oxonians, featuring some impressive pull shots through midwicket to bring the first boundaries of the innings. Fisher's line was a bit off there as she bowled three wide balls.

11:25am Oxford 14-3 at the end of four overs.

11:20am WICKET! Oxford 11-3

Bowled her! Stewart, who looked so measured in the previous over, decided to come down the track and swipe Binsted back over her head. She missed, Binsted hit. Cambridge are all over the Dark Blues at the moment!

11:19am End of third over: Oxford 11-2 Some nice shots from Stewart through midwicket and third man to pick up runs and steady a very wobbly Oxford ship.

11:18am Oxford 6-2 at the end of two overs. What a start for Cambridge. Could this be the beginning of an upset?

11:14am WICKET! Oxford 5-2

Graham came, and now she's gone! Binsted's line and length, probing outside off stump, was immaculate in the first few balls of her over. How ironic it is, then, that it was a loose full toss that gets her the wicket, with Graham's swat only looping to Blackshaw at mid-off.

11:12am End of first over: Oxford 5-1. Terrific start from Hannah Fisher. Here's Lucy Binsted from the pavilion end.

11:10am Charlotte Graham is the new woman in at three. And it's a nervy start, swinging and missing her first ball.

WICKET! Oxford 2-1 Terrible run out for Oxford, and what a start for Cambridge! These two were looking for sharp singles, but Fry's flick to fine leg was just never on, and Cambridge's sharp work in the field ended with the wicketkeeper flicking the bails off. 

11:06am Oxford's openers Siobhan Stewart and Lizzie Fry are now taking their guard. We're ready to go!

11:05am Oxford have won the toss and have chosen to bat first on a sunny morning. The Light Blue fielders, (dressed in, erm, black...) are set on the pitch waiting for the two Oxford openers.

10:58am Cambridge: Frankie Barber, Hannah Fisher, Chloe Allison, Holly Tasker, Preeti Kate, Katie Gibson, Helena Eccles, Lucy Binsted, Christine Viney, Nadia Blackshaw, Sophie Mulcahey

10:57am Here's how Oxford line up today: 

Sophie Taylor, Imogen Brown, Alycia Jewes, Charlotte Graham, Siobhan Stewart, Vanessa Picker, Lucy Taylor, S. Attrill, Lizzie Fry, J. McCabe, Sam Moore

10:52am So, first up on today's schedule is the women's match, which is due to start at 11 o'clock. And it must be said that it is the Dark Blues who are the favourites on paper for this one. In truth, Oxford have not only been triumphant in the past, but dominant. They've beaten Cambridge on every occasion since the inception of the Varsity T20 women's match in 2011. Last year, they won by a crushing 10 wickets in BUCS and finished well above the Light Blues in their BUCS Midlands 1A League this year.

But, thankfully, cricket isn't played on paper – it's played on the Fenner's hallowed turf. And, as our Sport Editor Devarshi Lodhia writes in his preview, only 3 runs separated the two sides in their most recent game, so you would be a brave person to write off the Cambridge women from the outset.

10:37am Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Varsity's live coverage of the 2017 Greene King IPA Varsity Twenty20 Matches! I'm Imran Marashli, and I'll be accompanying you to bring every wicket, boundary, and much, much more throughout the day. The weather looks good so far, and we're all set for what promises to be two cracking games of cricket. What better way to spend a Friday in May Week?

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