Zach Lion-Cachet smashes T20 century for Oxfordshire

Zach Lion-Cachet kept alive Oxfordshire’s hopes of successfully defending their National Counties T20 title with a brilliant maiden century which set up a thumping win over Bedfordshire in the second match of their double-header at Dunstable. 

The 19-year-old, who has been trialling with Sussex,  plundered 101 from 56 balls – including five sixes - and he shared a competition record second wicket stand of 175 with Tom Hinley. 

Lion Cachet was making only his second T20 appearance for Oxfordshire having made his competition debut in the first match at Dunstable earlier in the day. He was given his chance because Sussex opener Harrison Ward was unavailable and he proved why Oxfordshire rate him so highly. 

Hinley, a former Sussex staffer, made 83 not out to help Oxfordshire pile up 207 for one, a total that proved far too many for Bedfordshire. 

Lion Cachet’s innings helped Oxfordshire bounce back from a seven wickets defeat in the opener -  as they did against Buckinghamshire last week  - with the victory in the second match which helped the holders to stay in touch with Berkshire who looked in ominous form in completing a double over Buckinghamshire in the other Group Four double-header. 

In the opening match at Dunstable Oxfordshire were dismissed for 106 after they were put with their last three wickets falling to the last three balls of the innings, two to seamer Amrit Basra and captain Jonny Cater run out off the last delivery. 

Bedfordshire captain George Thurstance guided his side to victory with a half century and Worcestershire’s Kashif Ali also contributed to the win with two for 21 with his leg breaks and 29 in a second wicket stand of 53 with Thurstance. 

It was a very different story in the second match where Bedfordshire crumbled to 22 for six after Lion-Cachet and Hinley had flayed their attack. 

Seamer Prav Chahal took five for 17 and although former Hampshire and Dorset batter Oli Soames led a mini-recovery with 39 not out, Bedfordshire were 96 runs adrift of their DRS target when rain brought an early end to their reply. 

Report provided by Paul Bolton