MCCA Trophy

OXFORDSHIRE will reach the quarter-finals if they avoid defeat against Devon at Challow & Childrey on Sunday.

Because of their superior net run rate, Oxon would progress from Group 1 even if the match is tied or abandoned, but captain Ian Hawtin is not even considering that.

“It is true that we would qualify if it was rained off, but we have got to concentrate on playing on what is happening in the game,” he said.

“If we win this, we will definitely go through. It is all to play for.

“We batted and bowled well in last week’s victory over Bedfordshire and need to keep that going.

“We have a strong and well-balanced squad that can do well in this competition. Hopefully, we’ll show that on Sunday.

“We have done pretty well at Challow over the years, so hopefully that will be a good omen for us.”

Oxon add seamer Daniel Rowe and bastman Alex Jewell to the squad, but all-rounder Jack Taylor is unavailable as he is playing for Gloucestershire against Cambridge MCCU.

Devon, who won the Minor Counties Championship last season, have yet to complete a fixture in the Trophy due to the bad weather – although they were well-placed against Beds when rain intervened.

Hawtin said: “Their director of cricket was at our game last Sunday and I had a chat with him.

“They must be keen to get playing.”

Devon skipper Chris Bradley said: “We haven’t had an ideal start to the season because of the weather.

“But most of the lads have a couple of league games under their belts now.

“The front-end batters have got a few runs in the Premier Division and the bowlers have been taking wickets.

“The good thing from our point of view is there are no ifs or maybes about this game.

“We know we have to win and can concentrate on that rather than hoping someone else does us a favour.”

Oxfordshire: from Kaufman (Camden), Sabin (Banbury), Haupt (Banbury), Hawkes (Banbury), Perkin (Oxford), Keegan (Worksop), Jewell (High Wycombe), Ryan (Banbury), Rowe (Sully Centurions), Hawtin (capt, Banbury), Blanchard (Banbury), M Taylor (Great & Little Tew).