CAPTAIN Jonny Cater has tipped Harvey Eltham to step up to the plate when Oxfordshire begin their three-day campaign against Wiltshire on Sunday.

Oxon kick-off their Unicorns Counties Championship season at Great & Little Tew.

Apart from skipper Cater, Richard Kaufman and Lloyd Sabin, the county have named a fairly young and inexperienced side for the Western Division encounter.

With the likes of all-rounder Luke Ryan and bowler Chad Keegan calling time on the three-day game, Oxon are looking to new faces to make the most of their opportunity in the side.

Oxford off-spinner and opener Harvey Eltham has been in and out of the set-up for the last couple of seasons, but Cater is backing the 19-year-old to prosper.

He said: “We know the quality Harvey possesses.

“He’s still a young cricketer, who has started to flourish with the bat as well and he should have future aims of becoming our main all-rounder.

“He comes in as our number one spinner with Luke finishing his three-day career.

“You would think he can take that responsibility on and become very key to the side.”

Aston Rowant batsman Tom Condon and seamer Hendrick Robyns will make their championship debuts.

Thame seamer Will Rooney returns to the team after injury.

Oxon have so far named a nine-man squad, with the other two places filled by Sussex players.

Cater added: “It’s a very inexperienced side.

“But we’ve got a couple of Sussex boys playing this week.

“They will add more seniority, more experience and quality which is essential for our younger players.

“We’ve got to be competitive, but bringing the young guys in is imperative.

“We play to win and we’re looking to win as many games as possible.”

SUNDAY’S SQUAD

Oxfordshire: J Cater (Buckingham), T Condon (A Rowant), H Eltham (Oxford), R Kaufman (Old Northamptonians), W Rooney (Thame), L Sabin (Banbury), J Thomas (Great & Little Tew), J White (Great & Little Tew), H Robyns (Aston Rowant).