OXFORD have signed New South Wales opening batsman Ryan Carters, and he is set to make his debut in the Division 1 basement battle against Horspath at Roman Way tomorrow, writes RUSSELL SMITH.

The 24-year-old has played 30 first-class games, making his debut for Victoria against an England XI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2010, hitting 68 in the second innings.

He has a top score of 198 for New South Wales against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield at Sydney in December.

He has also played for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.

Carters got in touch with Oxford through links with former Oxfordshire off-spinner Paul McMahon, and he arrives with Ian Crosby’s side having lost their first four matches.

And the captain said: “He has scored four or five first-class hundreds. He is only 24 and is hungry to come and improve his career.

“He is travelling while he is over here and wanted to play some cricket.

He is obviously a top-quality player and we are delighted to have him.

“It is an honour and a coup, and hopefully he will get some runs for us.”

Carters is also a wicket-keeper, but player-coach Michael Bates will be behind the stumps tomorrow, while New Zealander Mark Beer drops down to the 2nd X1.

Freddie Simons and Ian Evans are named in the 12, with Kasim Nawaz dropping out.

Horspath broke their duck against Burnham last week, and skipper Will Eason said: "Obviously for both teams it’s a huge game with them bottom and us just above them.

"We both need to win."

The match will be the first top-flight meeting between the two clubs since their de-merger in 2004.

And Eason added: "I think playing against them now will bring closure to what has gone on in the past."

Opener Harrison Ward is required to play for St Edward's School, but ex-Oxford wicket-keeper Jasper Davies is back in place of Andy Roberts.

Seamer Jamil Faruq is also set to return after a groin strain, with batsman Kit Cutter, who was away last week, selected for the 2nd XI.

As well as Davies, paceman Adam Price will be facing his old club.

Off-spinner Jimmy Phillips is recalled as Banbury bid to bounce back from last week's defeat at home to Henley when they visit Burnham.

He swaps places with Liam Manley, who drops down to the 2nd XI.

TOMORROW'S TEAMS Banbury (v Burnham, away): Paine, Darby, Sabin, West, Briggs, Tew, Ryan (capt), Blanchard, Penhale, Wright, Phillips.

Oxford (v Horspath, home): from Carters, Sutherland, Perera, Laudat, Bates, Thornton, Mendis, Crosby (capt), Rooney, Eltham, Simons, I Evans.

Horspath (v Oxford, away): R Eason, Phillips, Green, Ali, Mould, Foster, Davies, W Eason (capt), Price, Faruq, Belcher.