Parks track one of the best

The Parks is a very picturesque ground

Students at Oxford University are playing on the second-best wicket in the British Isles, according to a survey.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said the University Parks pitch was second only to the Oval in its yearly wicket quality table.

The ranking based on points awarded by match umpires puts the Oxford pitch above Lord's, Trent Bridge and others.

Next year's debut first-class fixture at the Parks sees combined Oxford students playing Middlesex on 12 April.

Dick Sula, head groundsman at Oxford University, was pleased with the findings.

He said: "Being awarded second best county wicket is extremely rewarding for my entire team.

"They put in enormous efforts to maintain the pitch throughout the year.

"We work hard at the basics and put in many hours of nurturing and rolling and the results speak for themselves."