MCCA Trophy

Oxfordshire captain Ian Hawtin admitted there had been some tough selection calls ahead of Sunday’s semi-final with Norfolk at Horsford (11).

Hawtin and his fellow selectors have gone for a squad of 12 as Oxon bid to reach the final after last-four defeats in 2007 and 2008.

Spinners Luke Ryan and Paul McMahon, plus all-rounder David Smith are added to the side that convincingly beat Wiltshire in ther semi-finals.

But Oxford duo, opening batsman Chris Sandbach and seamer Richard Gilbert, miss out despite good contributions in the competition.

“It has been really, really difficult to select this squad,” said Hawtin.

“There are players that have not been selected who have done well which is slightly unfortunate, but you can only pick 11 on the day.

“Some people are not too happy, but we have got to pick what we consider to be the right side.”

Oxon look to have a well-balanced side and in Damian Shirazi, with two centuries and a 69 from four innings, have one of the competition’s most in-form batsmen.

Norfolk finished second behind Staffordshire, who host Bedfordshire in the other semi-final, in their group after winning three matches and losing one.

They then chased down 266 to defeat Lincolnshire in their quarter-final with captain Carl Rogers and former Kent and Leicestershire man Trevor Ward making half centuries.

Because Norfolk play in the Championship’s Eastern Division, they are not regular opponents for Oxfordshire, who have been doing some research.

Hawtin said: “We’ve spoken to Jason Harrison, who captains Bucks, and some guys from Staffordshire, who played them last week.

“Horsfield is a very high-scoring ground where they get lots of fours.

“We also know that it turns a bit there. They play two or three spinners and that’s why we have the spin options in our squad this time.”

Having fallen in the semi-finals for the past two seasons, Oxon should not lack motivation to reach a first final.

“We have had a few goes at it. Hopefully we’ll make it this time,” said Hawtin.

“Obviously everybody will be very determined to get to the final, having losing in the semis for the last couple of years.

“Some of us were also invloved in a semi-final ten years ago.”

Oxfordshire: from Shirazi (Banbury), Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), Haupt (Banbury), Hawkes (Stony Stratford), Shahbaz Ali (Banbury), Rowe (Swansea), Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Ryan (Banbury), D Smith (Oxford), St Hole (Oxford), McMahon (Wollaton), Arnold (Banbury Twenty).