Cornwall’s Unicorns Counties Championship match with Wiltshire ended in a thrilling draw at St Austell last night, writes Michael Weeks.

In a game that went right down to the wire Wiltshire’s last pair of Tahir Afridi and Ryan Murray put on 31 to end 14 runs short of victory. They had been set 287 to win in two sessions.

Despite a disappointing first innings Cornwall gave themselves a chance of victory thanks to a fine second innings batting effort.

After electing to bat, in hot conditions on Sunday the Duchy slumped to 103-8 at lunch.

They were grateful for a cameo innings from the recalled James Turpin, as the last two wickets almost doubled the score. He hit 5 sixes and 8 fours in his 75 off 82 balls.

He added 68 for the final wicket with Tom Dinnis (15no) in 11 overs to get to 193 all out in 48 overs.

Cornwall were missing batsmen Paul Smith, Jake Libby and Lewis Goldsworthy from the team that beat Devon.

Libby was on duty for Notts against Surrey at Trent Bridge and Goldsworthy for Somerset seconds.

Peter Trego was also ruled out having been included in the Somerset championship team at Worcester.

Adam Hodgson, a regular last year, was recalled along with Truro born and Tim Wyatt, who made his debut as a 16 year old in 2015. He is a member of the Notts Academy.

Wiltshire ended the first day on 191-5 with 32 overs still available. They were bowled out on the second morning for 270 with Matt Rowe taking 5-93.

With a first innings deficit of 77 runs Cornwall effectively found themselves at a perilous 29-4 on the second afternoon.

However Sam Wood dug in, including playing back 27 successive dot balls at one point.

Tim Wyatt was equally as watchful making 35 in 87 balls at the crease, in a stand of 71.

Tommy Sturgess didn’t hang around however reaching an aggressive 50 in 35 balls with 2 sixes and 8 fours. He fell shortly after for 54 but Libby and Wood saw out the day to end on 268-7.

On the third morning Wood went on to make 102 and Libby 35 adding 76 for the eighth wicket. The innings ended half an hour before lunch setting 287 to win.