Oxfordshire must rely on other results as they bid to qualify for the MCCA Trophy quarter-finals from Group 3, writes ED MEZZETTI.

Ian Hawtin’s side need to defeat Hertfordshire in their final match at North Mymms on Sunday and then hope other games go their way.

Oxon’s head of cricket Rupert Evans said: “Unfortunately it is out of our hands.

“In the last two matches, we have played some really, really good cricket and just fallen at the last hurdle.

“Now we need to win and hopefully get the right results elsewhere.”

Should they defeat Herts, Oxon will at least prolong their campaign until the final Sunday.

They would then have to sit out and rely on having a superior net run rate when all matches are completed.

Oxfordshire have injury doubts surrounding batsman Nathan Hawkes (shoulder), plus seamers Tom Geeson-Brown (side strain) and Daniel Rowe (knee).

They are also waiting on Gloucestershire to see whether spin-bowling all-rounder Jack Taylor will be released.

He would then team up with his younger brother, Matt, who opened the bowling against Bedfordshire last time out.

All-rounder David Smith and batsman Alex Jewell are added to the squad.

Evans said: “It is not ideal preparation because we are having to wait on people.

“But we want to give them every possible chance of playing.”

Herts, who have played a game fewer, are level on points with Oxon, but have a superior run rate.

They have named former Oxfordshire all-rounder Jamie Hewitt in their side Oxfordshire: from Kaufman (Camden), Hawkes (Banbury), J Taylor (Gloucestershire), Haupt (Banbury), Watling (Aston Rowant), Shahbaz Ali (Banbury), Smith (Wollaton), Keegan (Worksop), Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Ryan (Banbury), Rowe (Swansea), Geeson-Brown (Oxford), M Taylor (Great & Little Tew), Jewell (High Wycombe).

Hertfordshire: Ballard, Greenall, Hewitt, Rudge, Lewis (capt), Southgate, Walker, Frazer, Lamb, Blacktopp, White.