Minor Counties Championship

It is a case of one Hole in, another Hole out as Oxfordshire face Wiltshire in the Western Division at Trowbridge, starting on Sunday.

And there is a even some deja vu as Oxon take on the same opponents for the second week running.

Banbury batsman Simon Hole has been recalled and will open the innings alongside Oxford’s Chris Sandbach.

But his younger brother Stuart, the Oxford seamer, is unavailable after spearheading Oxon’s MCCA Trophy victory over Wiltshire last Sunday.

Left-arm spinner Matt Hancock, who plays for Stratford, comes in for his second Championship match, replacing Paul McMahon.

The other changes from Oxon’s opening Championship defeat to Dorset see the unavailable Craig Haupt and Nathan Hawkes dropping out, with Richard Kaufman coming in.

Captain Ian Hawtin said: “Simon Hole will open the batting and I will drop down the order.

“We are going into the game looking to get our Championship season off to a start.

“It is important we try and get something out of this game.

“We played some good cricket against Dorset, but it was one poor session that cost us.

“We have got to make sure we don’t allow that to happen again.”

Another incentive for Oxon players is the chance to force their way into the side for the following Sunday’s MCCA Trophy semi-final away to Norfolk.

Hawtin said: “The team played really well in last week’s quarter-final win against Wilsthire.

“But there are still other people that have an opportunity to show what they can do.

“We will be selecting the side after the weekend.”

One player nearing a return is star batsman Rob Williams, who injured a thumb over the winter.

Hawtin said: “Rob is targeting the next three-day game for his comeback.

“He is playing for Leamington’s first team on Saturday.”

Wiltshire drew with Wales Minor Counties at Usk in their opening match.

Oxfordshire (v Wiltshire, away): Sandbach (Oxford), Si Hole (Banbury), Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), West (Oxford Downs), Shahbaz Ali (Banbury), Taylor (Keynsham), Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Rowe (Swansea), E Smith (Banbury), Hancock (Stratford), Arnold (Banbury Twenty).