OXFORDSHIRE cricket has never been in a better place, according to captain Luke Ryan and head coach Rupert Evans.

Having won the Western Division of the Unicorns Counties Championship for the first time since 1989, as well as reaching the finals of the Knockout Trophy and T20 competitions in the past 12 months, Oxon head for their winter break brimming with confidence.

Six teenagers have signed academy contracts with first-class counties, and Ryan believes the future looks incredibly bright.

Tom Price, Jordan Garrett and Ben Charlesworth have all signed for Gloucestershire, while Rory Hipwell has put pen to paper with Hampshire, Luke Cheshire has joined Glamorgan and Harrison Ward was snapped up by Sussex.

Ryan, Oxfordshire captain for three years, believes the development of young players is great for the county.

He said: “We are going through a bit of a purple patch at the moment.

“There seems to be a large crux of players that are showing the potential to play first class cricket in the next four or five years.

“It is fantastic and it gives them an opportunity to move on to the next level.”

Evans, involved with the first team since 1973, believes the current first team squad is the strongest he has known.

“I think at present we have got the most talented group of players ever,” he said.

“We have reached three finals in the last 12 months and haven’t quite got over that hurdle, but I am absolutely certain we will nail it next year."

Oxfordshire’s youngsters complete their seventh session of winter training this weekend, and performance cricket manager Mark Farmer says it is exciting to see so many players sign contracts.

He said: “It highlights the growing strength of Oxfordshire cricket and what great work is being done throughout the county.”

Ward, along with Harvey Eltham and Jack Wilkins, played for the first team this year and Ryan believes they will only benefit from having Evans as their head coach.

He added: “Rupert is a really effective coach and his main strength is the way he builds relationships with players and brings out the best in them.”