Oxfordshire will have a more youthful look when they face Shropshire in the Minor Counties Championship Western Division at Whitchurch starting on Sunday.

That is the view of captain Ian Hawtin, who is the team's elder statesman at 41.

Oxon's team includes seven players under 25 and two teenagers in Banbury pair Nathan Hawkes and Luke Ryan.

Aston Rowant batsman Alex Jewell, 21, returns to the senior county side three years after his debut.

Jewell earns his place after impressing the Cherwell League, scoring two centuries and three 50s.

Strike bowlers Jack Brooks and Ryan Newhook, who will have to shoulder a lot of work without the injured Keith Arnold, are 24 and 22 respectively.

"We've got a young side this time, particularly if you take out myself, Hewitt and Knightley," said Hawtin. "It looks good for the future.

"There's some unavailability with guys like Craig Haupt and Rob Williams, but that gives other opport- unities.

"If they stake a claim, they will will have a good chance of staying there."

A hip problem means batsman Haupt will not be able to play for four days in a row.

Off-spinner Paul McMahon, the only Oxon bowler to impress in their MCCA Trophy semi-final defeat to Berkshire, is playing for Warwickshire 2nd.

Oxon have drawn two games and had one abandoned so far in a rain-affected campaign.

They will be looking for a better return in their final three fixtures against Shropshire, Berkshire and Dorset.

"We would like to win a couple of these matches really, that's the aim," said Hawtin.

"To wins two out of three would be a good return."

Oxfordshire: Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Hewitt (Welwyn Garden City), Sandbach (Oxford Downs), Kaufman (St Fagans), Knightley (Saffron Waldon), Hawkes (Banbury), Jewell (Aston Rowant), Ryan (Banbury), Vainker (Oxford), Brooks (Oxford), Newhook (Banbury).