CRICKET: Hamza's hat-trick in vain in the rain!

From the Oxford Mail, first published Saturday 7th Jul 2007.

Hamza Hussain claimed a hat-trick and finished with magnificent figures of 4-2 in Oxfordshire Under 12's clash with Buckinghamshire.

But the weather had the final say as the match was abandoned due to heavy rain.

Stonesfield's ground staff had worked wonders to make the game possible, although it was reduced to 40 overs per side.

Oxfordshire won the toss and elected to field, and it was always going to be tough conditions for the visitors to bat in.

They reached 40-2 after 12 overs when the heavens opened and forced the players off.

But after a lengthy delay, the game resumed as a 30 overs-a-side match, and within moments of the restart, Bucks had been reduced to 40-5 thanks to Hussain's hat-trick.

His first wicket was a quick yorker, followed by two catches at mid-on by Tom MacDonald.

Oxfordshire's fielding was excellent, and was rounded off by two superb run-outs by Josh Megson and Curtly Slatter.

Ashley Grant (43) held the Bucks' innings together, but when he became Sasha Barras's third victim, the visitors slumped to 72 all out.

Yet more rain fell during tea, but again after some mopping up, play was possible.

And Oxfordshire got off to the worst possible start, losing MacDonald and Josh Garrett for ducks at the top of the order to leave them 0-2.

Oxon had just started a recover when the rain fell again and play was abandoned.

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