Incredible bowling figures for James Coles on National Counties senior debut

(Photo: Angela Davison)

Young Sussex all-rounder James Coles made a spectacular competitive debut for Oxfordshire by taking figures of five for six to send National Counties Trophy holders Berkshire to a four wickets defeat at the Falkland club in Newbury.

Coles, who became Sussex’s youngest first-class debutant last year, recently signed his first professional contract with the club and demonstrated his talent by sending Berkshire from 81 for three to 114 all out with his left-arm spin.

Coles’ figures were the second-best by an Oxfordshire bowler in the competition behind Simon Porter’s six for 48 against Shropshire in 1986. They were also the county’s most economical bowling in the Trophy.

Chris Peploe, the former Middlesex slow left-armer opened the bowling for Berkshire and took three for 15, including Coles who was LBW for a first ball duck, but Oxfordshire skipper Jonny Cater steered his side home with 27 not out.