Our scorer Quentin Jones gives an account on a historic innings in the 2013 Varsity four-day match...
"Last night I arrived home from Fenner’s in Cambridge with my head in a spin. In a little over three months I have scored thirty-four games for both Oxford MCCU and Oxford University Cricket Club. These games of cricket varied from T20 to the four day format and the best was saved for the last game. In my own humble way let me try and briefly explain.
I have been honoured to score for Oxford University in 2013. Every time I have set foot in the pavilion at The University Parks has been a privilege. Some of the Blues names displayed on the historic walls of that building can send a shiver down the spine – Lord Harris, CB Fry, DR Jardine and MC Cowdrey instantly spring to mind.
When the 2013 plaque is put up there will be another name that will be talked about forever more – SS Agarwal.
The reason for this is quite simple. Sam Agarwal has just rewritten the history books and as the Oxford University scorer I have officially recorded his extraordinary achievement. At the end of day one of the 2013 varsity match, Sam was unbeaten on 213. Strangely, as players and officials packed up and headed off from Fenner’s that evening, there was little talk about possible records. On morning two this changed. Various online and written records had and were being studied and the following was ascertained. Sam needed another 35 runs to pass the all time individual 1st class varsity batting record and another 69 runs to pass the all time Oxford University 1st class record.
At 14.16 on day two Sam Agarwal, captain of Oxford University declared at 550-7. He was still at the crease 313 not out. He had passed the previous varsity best of 247 set at Fenner’s as recently as 2005 and when he had gone past 281 overtook the Oxford University record that had stood for 126 years.
In this day and age of electronic scoring Oxford University has stuck with tradition. Yes, I scored electronically but both the University and current scorer Neil Harris (who is recovering from illness) requested that a manual top and bottom system be run alongside the computer. So, for evermore, there will be a written account of Sam Agarwal’s 313 not out. As I look at his innings now, I see that it is so enormous that it covers not two lines but three. It can also be broken down as the following:
168 x 0 run
74 x 1 run
21 x 2 runs
5 x 3 runs
41 x 4 runs
3 x 6 runs
I have Sam recorded at the wicket for 425 minutes. For me the most incredible statistic is his strike rate – 100.33.
This innings overshadowed all but one thing, the result. Oxford University won by an innings and 186 runs.
This was Sam’s last innings for the University. He dealt with the sudden and massive press interest in his usual modest and calm way. Just before I left Fenner’s, he handed me a Cambridge University scorecard and signed it with a personal message. I was gobsmacked by what he had written. He is clearly a cricketer who understands the game and the crucial role scorers play in it.
If I ever score an innings like that again then I will be amazed. Thank you Sam."
By Quentin Jones - Scorer
